Beloved charity footy match returns in 2022 with sizzling new sponsor

On July 31, South Australian creatives will go head to head in a charity footy match at Coopers Stadium Norwood to raise money for the state’s most disadvantaged.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Adelaide’s media, musicians, artists and pollies are dusting off the footy boots to play a comically competitive game of pretty average footy at the Adelaide Reclink Community Cup.

And this year, the game is being supported by a sizzling new sponsor, Beer & BBQ Festival, which organiser Gareth Lewis says is a match made in heaven.

“Beer & BBQ Fest is incredibly proud to be supporting Reclink Community Cup as our not-for-profit partner. Not only are we passionate about the work Reclink do, we are passionate about football, community, live music and a good time! We hope everyone coming to Beer & BBQ Festival can help us support this great event and get along to Norwood Oval at the end of July also,” he says.

Initially a competition between Adelaide media (Adelaide Anchors) and musicians (The Rockatoos) – this year the game is open to all creatives and people wanting to support a great cause – the Cup has always attracted local superstars lacing up the boots or cheering from the stands, like Premier Peter Malinauskas, Attorney General Kyam Maher, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Katrine Hildyard, former Premier Steven Marshall, Greens MLC Tammy Franks, Port Power legend Chad Cornes, Crows powerhouse Nathan Bassett, Dockers champion Nikki Gore, music icon Tim Rogers and media personalities Tory Shepherd, Cameron England, Jessica Braithwaite, Nick Harmsen, Michael Owen, and rockstar of the airwaves Peter Goers.

A game that is huge in the eastern states and gathering steady momentum at home in SA, the Cup’s humble beginnings started in Melbourne in 1993, and grew steadily to a highly successful regular national event attracting players and supporters like Paul Kelly, Courtney Barnett, Dan Sultan, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senator Penny Wong, in front of crowds of thousands, raising much needed funds for Reclink Australia.

SA State Manager of Reclink Australia Andy Asser championed the Adelaide iteration of the game in its maiden match in 2015 and is looking forward to seeing it get back on the field this year.

“The Adelaide Community Cup has helped us to lift our profile and provides vital funds for our community-based programs that help disadvantaged South Aussies. The game is always a great laugh, and we are thrilled to have it back in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19,” he says.

Through pre-match events and game day, as well as the generous support of businesses, organisations and individuals, the Adelaide Reclink Community Cup has so far raised more than $120,000 worth in funds and equipment for Reclink SA to facilitate sport and arts programs for some of South Australia’s most vulnerable and isolated.

The Adelaide Reclink Community Cup is supported by the likes of Colonel Light Gardens Football Club, Beer and BBQ Festival, Channel 9, Channel 44, Gage Road, Derringers, The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, The Hotel Metropolitan, Three D Radio, Coopers, Coopers Stadium/Norwood Football Club, and many more generous providers.

With live music, family friendly fun, raffles, and a whole lot of community atmosphere, gates will open on the 2022 Adelaide Community Cup at 12pm Sunday 31 July with tickets available online or at the gate.

Supported by loyal volunteers, Reclink Australia delivers specialist programs for at-risk youth, people with mental illness, disability, people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, and those facing alcohol, gambling and substance addictions.

Visit the website: http://communitycup.com.au/

Purchase tickets in advance here: http://communitycup.com.au/adelaide