Shining under lights

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It’s been a couple of years in the making, but the St Albans Saints will finally has the opportunity to host a National Premier League match under lights.

On Friday night, the Saints will host the Bentleigh Greens in a match they are hoping will attract a big crowd.

Saints president Ilija Dragicevic said they were excited by the opportunity.

“The lights got installed prior to COVID,” he said. “It’s been a long time in the making, it was a three to four year process getting the lights.

“Then COVID hit and we had two years with the club almost at half capacity. Traditionally our club is a Sunday afternoon home game club.

“We thought we would give it [night] matches and see what sort of reaction we get.”

Dragicevic said the lights had made a major difference on training nights and made it a lot safer for children, who don’t have to train under the old diesel lights.

He said having also upgraded the car park, they were now looking to develop a whole masterplan to make the facility even better.

Dragicevic said they were hoping to make the facilities more accessible for everyone.

“We’re looking at some upgrades to the facilities, especially for our women’s soccer program,” he said.

“We are trying to grow and make it more attractive for females to come to the club and stay at the club.”