Community groups win big in footy tipping competition

THE end of the AFL season has come to an end and so has the annual Surf Coast Community AFL Tipping Competition, with four community groups receiving funding.

Participants had the choice of which local community group they would like their winnings to go to with a pool of $10,000 up for grabs, funded by the Community Bank Surf Coast.

Cash prizes were also on the line for the top four winners, provided by the Surf Coast Times.

Jay Carroll finished on top of the ladder, taking home $5,000 for the Anglesea Football Club.

Second position was taken by Matisse Higgins earning $3,000 for the Lorne Football Netball Club, third place went to Tony Spence supporting Winchelsea Netball Club with $1,500, and Jan Juc Cricket Club will receive $500 after Amber Heath finished fourth.

Community Bank Surf Coast branch manager Daniel Norris said partnering with the Surf Coast Times allows them to promote the community rewards and expand the audience.

“This is the second year we have partnered with the Surf Coast Times to be able to provide a free and fun AFL tipping competition but with a real difference for the Surf Coast community.

“As a community bank, we love to give back to the community, but in this method we are also able to provide a conversation starter in the town.

“There aren’t many times in our life that we individually may be able to gift up to $5,000 to a community organisation of our choice, but what this competition allows is for it to happen.”

Mr Norris said partnering with the Surf Coast Times for the past two years had resulted in a positive outcome for seven local organisations through the choices of the entrants, and he hoped the competition will return next year