Pepper Money celebrates the Saints 150 year anniversary
Posted: 05-04-2023
Pepper Money continues to proudly sponsor one of the oldest football clubs in the country, the St Kilda Football Club in their historic 150th year.
Nearly 150 years to the day of the club’s formation – 1 April, the 150th anniversary game was held at the MCG in Round 3 against the Essendon Bombers over the weekend. Attended by over 69,200 people, the 150th game was the centrepiece of the celebrations. As key sponsors, Pepper Money’s CEO Mario Rehayem attended the event alongside General Manager Mortgages and Commercial, Barry Saoud and General Manager Brand and Marketing Sarah Pikardt. On behalf of Pepper Money and the Saints, one lucky fan and Saints Member for 17 years won $1,500 to celebrate the club’s milestone game.
Across this historic year, the Saints have launched their official 150th anniversary campaign, and they're honouring the true legends of the club - the fans.
“Through thick and thin, the Saints faithful have stood by the red, white and black since its inception in 1873, seeing the club reach this year’s historic milestone. “There is no doubt that Saints fans are the most loyal in the league,” St Kilda’s Chief Executive Officer, Simon Lethlean said.
"This is our seventh year of sponsorship and support of the Saints as a Co-Principal Partner and their official lender. We are thrilled to be a part of the club’s 150th year,” said Pepper Money’s Chief Executive Officer, Mario Rehayem. “As a company with a strong commitment to supporting our local communities, we believe this partnership is an excellent opportunity to give back and support the growth of football across Australia.”
“The Saints have a long and storied history, with some of the greatest to ever play the game doing so in the red, white and black. This milestone is one to be proud of and one which all of us at Pepper Money are thrilled to be a part of,” said Rehayem.
The anniversary campaign features on-field heroes including premiership player Ross Smith, club legends Nathan Burke and Robert Harvey, as well as current-day players Tim Membrey, Hannah Priest, Alice Burke, and Rowan Marshall.
“Given the 150th year is about commemorating legends on and off the field, the one and only music legend Ed Sheeran took some time out of his busy Australian tour last month to visit the Saint's training ground,” said Pepper Money’s General Manager Brand and Marketing, Sarah Pikardt. “In what was a perfect harmony of sports and music, the music superstar surprised the team during a training session. Sheeran congratulated the club and the team on 150 years of “great football,” she said.
Last month, 100-year-old ‘Sainter’ and a loyal fan for over 83 years, Jack was gifted a special keepsake for his birthday – a Saints jersey with the number 100 and two tickets to attend the 150th anniversary game. Jack said it was a huge surprise and he was honoured to be invited watch the game – “it means a hell of a lot to me,” he said.
Pepper Money has been a Community Partner alongside the Saints, with a focus on including various community initiatives to help make a real difference in regions that are traditionally under-served.
Pepper Money will continue to proudly support initiatives that champion inclusiveness and diversity, which include the Real Life Moments campaign and the St Kilda’s Blind & Wheelchair Football and Saints Play program.
For more information please contact:
Melissa Fanous
Pepper Money
Senior Marketing Communications Manager
mfanous@pepper.com.au
0412 033 103
