AFL London to host All-Star match as bushfires fundraiser
- Thursday, February 19 2009 @ 11:10 pm ACDT
- Contributed by: Adam Bennett - AFL England President
- Views: 4,846
AFL London are staging their first All Star game on Clapham Common this Saturday 21st February in support of those affected by the bushfires in Victoria and to raise money to assist the Red Cross response. Ben Gellie of the London Swans and Coach of the North All-Star team said, "Many of the league's players, former players and supporters are personally affected by the disaster, we really see this as a great way to come together as a community a long way away from home to share our emotions, and hopefully at the end of the day to be able to make a difference." The league’s traditional rivalries will be on hold with the Swans, Lions and Wildcats banding together to make up the Northern team and Putney, Wimbledon and Wandsworth making up the Southern push. Despite the winter weather and the possibility that some may be slightly underdone, the game promises to be a very interesting showcase of the undoubted amount of talent that is present in London football. |
Representatives from all the local London clubs, as well as from outside the capital will be attending, either as players or support staff, coming together to support a state and country fighting some of the worst fires seen to date. Seeing Lion standing shoulder to shoulder with Hawk, Swan with Magpie, Demon with Wildcat (without putting in a heavy shepherd) in solidarity will be an occasion not to be missed, as well as a chance for coaches and team-mates to see how players new and old are shaping up for the season ahead.
The fundraising at pitch-side will be in the form of traditional footy refreshments, raffles and a charity auction, continuing into the evening with a central London venue to be announced soon. All funds raised will go to the Australian Red Cross.
For enquiries about the day or, to find out more about how you can become involved, contact Dave Bell, 079 6761 0914 (UK), djbell75@yahoo.com.au.