Rivalry will be left on the bench this Saturday as two Bundaberg Aussie rules teams take to the field to support Gympie AFC which was devastated by the recent floods.
Brothers Bulldogs and Waves Eagles players in the Takalvans AFL Wide Bay Women’s Competition will play at Frank Coulthard Oval on Saturday evening, and the community is invited to head along to show support.
Brothers Bulldogs’s Braden Krebs and The Waves Eagles’ Arty Richardson have joined forces to organise the fundraiser game.
Braden said Gympie Cat’s clubhouse was inundated with flood water, but they had not had the opportunity to get in and start the clean up yet.
As the Gympie Cats play in the women’s competition, Braden said it was fitting the local women’s teams rallied together to show support.
“We’re all part of the football community,” Braden said.
“In times like these rivalries go out the window and we come together to support each other.
“Obviously, we’re both passionate about our respective clubs and are striving to be successful on the field and create a great environment off it.
“In terms of working together, as I’m concerned, it’s how it should be, and I know Arty would agree.”
Braden said their onsite caretaker “Cowboy” had also lost everything, and they hoped to raise enough money to help restore the club.
The idea was sprouted between the two Bundaberg Aussie rules teams and within 24 hours the fundraising event idea had taken off.
“It’s quite incredible. We were only playing there two weeks ago,” Braden said.
“Brothers Bulldogs former player Mitch Maddock is now involved with the Cats, and like any club they have a team of long serving committee members and volunteers.
“We are simply coming together to help out another club in need.
“Gympie is a beautiful ground to play and watch football. We wish them all the best in their recovery from the floods.”
Arty agreed with Braden saying under normal circumstance the teams were rivals on the field but when it came to times of need, they stood together proudly.
“It’s important clubs stick together in times of need – we were lucky to miss the rain,” Arty said.
“They have tough times ahead, (so) if we can raise a bit of money to hopefully help them out and get them back playing footy – well that’s the least we can do.”
The Frank Coulthard Oval gates open at 3 pm Saturday, 5 March for a practice match between Waves and Gladstone Suns.
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