Tigers pull up socks for community

TORQUAY Tigers Football Netball Club players and staff are putting the disappointment of the BFNL season’s postponement behind them and turning their focus to helping the community.

At last week’s committee meeting, the club decided to keep their paid staff despite the inevitable financial problems the coronavirus would cause.

Club president Jenny Wood said with less work within the club for staff to do, the committee decided they could have their staff dedicate their time to the broader community.

“We’re in a unique situation of having paid staff with not a lot to do. So, we decided to give them the opportunity to help out in the community.”

Ms Wood said the club was looking to help in any way they could.

“Being such a large club too there’s a lot of ways we can do that, whether it’s through social media, through us physically helping people, going to groups like the RSL (Returned and Services League) and Meals on Wheels to see what we can offer, and engaging our players to help out to do whatever’s needed, especially for the vulnerable members of the community.

“We’ve also got sponsors who are supporting the club financially who currently aren’t getting exposure. So, we’re looking to help them as well, particularly as a lot of them are hospitality businesses.”

Club operations co-ordinator Tahlia Allcorn said she was glad to have the opportunity to support those in need and was eager to have the rest of the club similarly join in.

“Football has kind of come to a halt, but obviously there’s a lot of things that need to be done in terms of helping out with the community.

“We’re hoping to spread it across the whole club, eventually.”

Many of the club’s players have started to get involved in the initiative.

The football players have been put into virtual groups where they can share various activities their participating in to provide help across the community.

People wishing to request the club’s help can contact them by emailing [email protected].