SANFL Plans SA Footy Bushfire Appeal Round

In a first for South Australian football, SANFL will organise a dedicated bushfire appeal round across the entire State in the 2020 footy season.

The fundraising round in support of football clubs and communities impacted by the recent devastating bushfires on Kangaroo Island and in the Adelaide Hills will involve the SANFL Statewide Super League and Community Football leagues across SA.

SANFL General Manager Football Matt Duldig said the round, to be held on the weekend of May 22-23, will involve a range of fundraising activities, as well as giving leagues and clubs an opportunity to thank and engage with local CFS volunteers and their families, including free entry for all CFS volunteers to State League matches.

“Over the past month, we’ve spoken to many people from leagues and clubs across the State about how we can best provide assistance, not just immediately but for the long term,” Mr Duldig said.

“Importantly, we want to maximise our fundraising and recovery efforts for clubs and communities and the best way to do this is through a co-ordinated approach across all levels of football across the State.”

Mr Duldig said SANFL would establish a centralised Football Relief Fund to ensure 100 per cent of funds could be directed specifically to football and those people connected through football in recovering from the impact of the bushfires.

 “It has been gut wrenching to hear some of the stories coming from the affected areas,” he said.

“We’ve seen the devastation of the Western Districts FC on KI having its clubrooms destroyed by fire, but there are many players, volunteers, supporters and sponsors that have lost their homes, buildings and their livelihoods at this club and others, including the Adelaide Hills.

“Football clubs are the lifeblood and fabric of local communities, especially in regional areas, so we need to do everything we can to provide effective, long-term support to ensure both the clubs and their people can re-build and recover from this catastrophic event.”

Further updates on the bushfire appeal round and how to donate to the Football Relief Fund will be provided in the coming weeks.