Footy for Fiona kicks goals

WHILE blue and yellow, and red and white uniforms brought their regular footy colour to Marty Busch Reserve last Sunday, there was also a touch of purple and green.

The first ever Footy for Fiona games were played between Sebastopol and Ballarat junior football clubs, from under-11s to under-17s, raising funds and awareness for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

Phoenix College students were the brains and leaders behind the initiative, including year 12 Nathan Page, who plays footy for Burra.

“In our VCAL community impact project we had to pick a foundation to support, so as a cohort we picked Fiona Elsey because it’s Ballarat-based,” he said.

“Today we’ve run bake sales and sausage sizzles, sold raffle tickets, and put up lots of posters around the ground so people can find out more about the cause, how it works, and how they can get involved.

“Our young people are the future of the community, so the more they can understand about the cause, and have awareness of it at an early age, the more ongoing awareness they can create around it.”

Teacher Maree Hall said VCAL staff “planted the seed,” and after a brainstorm, the students have since been autonomous, designing the project themselves.

“We’re pretty proud of them,” she said. “Anyone that we’ve asked for help and sponsorship has jumped above and beyond, and have been so generous. We’re blessed with our strong community in Sebas.”

Small groups of students are organising further basketball, bingo, barefoot bowls, and dinner fundraisers for FECRI as the year goes on.

FECRI’s marketing and events coordinator Sally Walsh said the Institute is thrilled with the young people and their leadership.

“They are our future fundraisers, supporters, scientists, and unfortunately, they could potentially have cancer one day, so this is a community issue,” she said.

“Any community support is crucial to any improvements for the disease.”

FECRI board members and scientists made presentations to the teams after their games, and spent time at the cake stall and barbecue to speak to families.