2016 T20 Charity Cricket Match
Continuing my major sponsorship with Prospect District Cricket Club, I’ve successfully run my second charity event raising awareness and money for the McGrath Foundation.
The McGrath Foundation is a breast cancer support and education charity raising money to place breast care nurses throughout Australia. Two reasons I chose this foundation for the second T20:
A. My own personal experience with a breast cancer scare
B. The close relationship the McGrath Foundation and cricket have, being founded by former Australian cricket player, Glenn McGrath and his wife, Jane McGrath.
The lovely breast care nurses from the McGrath Foundation, embracing the Pirate spirit.
Following on from the inaugural Twenty/20 charity match with the positive feedback from both community and the club, I implemented the same formula for the second year with some additional incentives to maximise family and community engagement.
Tuesday 12th of January 2016, the T20 match was again held at Prospect Oval between Prospect Pirates and Woodville Peckers. Play began at 4:30pm (gates opening at 3:30pm – closed at 9pm). Themed Pirates and Ocean to encourage all to participate in the spirit of the day.
The eventual Man of The Match and winning player of the Prospect Pirates, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, congratulating the opposition captain at the end of the game.
Fynn Hudson-Prentice receiving his Man of the Match trophy from one sun loving real estate sales person/organiser and maybe slightly worn out.
This year I provided the following activities, entertainment and giveaways all at my own expense:
Some of our best dressed winners also taking advantage of the free face painting
Another one of our best dressed winners. This little Pirateer enjoyed all the free activities, participating in the Hot Shot Tennis, face painting, bouncy castles and pirate treasure race. The true little Man of the Match.
- Free bouncy castles (x3)
- Free face painters (x2)
- Monster Truck on display
- Best dressed competitions (free entry) with the pirate and ocean theme for each gender and various age groups.
- Hot shot tennis, consisting of two mini tennis courts utilising larger tennis balls for all young children to come and try
- Mid game entertainment: all children were invited to partake in a pirate treasure race around the grounds and once the treasure was discovered (30kg of lollies in a treasure chest) the united crew of children then shared the treasure. This year waiting with the treasure were 3 Championship Adelaide United players.
- Celebrity fitness challenge designed/run by World Champion Pole Vaulter Dmitri Markov. Top athletes from around Adelaide and myself took on the gruelling track at half time
Adelaide Bites Marquee Player, Kyle Petty, gave it his all, coming a close second to the Bite's Strength and Condition coach Darren Fidge in the Fitness Challenge set by Olympic and World Champion Pole Vaulter Dmitri Markov
A close finish with the two Adelaide Bite reps in the fitness challenge coming out on top. Darren Fidge the eventual winner over Kyle Petty.
- Guest celebrities including Olympic medallists, players from Adelaide United, Bite, Strikers and North Adelaide FC.
- My information brochures/flyers indicating all the free no obligation real estate services I provide to the community, plus information about the McGrath Foundation.
- Man of the Match with sash and prizes.
- VIP room with complimentary food and beverages for SACA board members, Prospect Mayor, local/state/federal MP’s, Prospect and Woodville District Cricket Clubs Life members, sponsors and real estate colleagues/associates.
- Security staff patrolling both family friendly and licenced drinking areas.
$500 this ball put in this hand for the Catapult Wealth Classic Crowd Catch
- Outdoor lounge area, for the general public to relax and watch the game.
The lounges supplied by the Outdoor Furniture Specialists were an absolute hit with the crowd
The West Adelaide Hellas Girls and I enjoying the comfort of the furniture supplied by the Outdoor Furniture Specialists
The 3 bouncy castles were put to great use, enjoyed by young and old
The Hot Shots Tennis was run by Mr Tennis with some budding new tennis champions identified.
Cheryl Buck from Surf Culture Australia brought the surf to Prospect
The Monsters Trucks were on display again and well utilised to start the T20 match
Throughout the afternoon, having live commentary by NOVA’s Jarod Walsh and Adelaide Strikers DJ, Matty Burgess playing, boosted atmosphere. With no obligation, the general public on entry to the grounds could make a gold coin donation for the charity and enter an amazing raffle with prizes donated from several local businesses, valued at $1500.
Amazing to have these legends join us for the day. L-R George Mells, Jimmy Jeggo, Jarrod Walsh and Michael Marrone
Mother Nature didn’t play fair again, this time it wasn’t rain, we were hit with an unexpected hotter day than forecasted, 42°C. The majority of the crowd held off coming until half way through the game, yet we still rewrote the crowd record with over 1250 people entering the gates (excluding volunteers/vendors/members/officials/players).
The outstanding West Adelaide Hellas crew cooking up a Greek food and frappe storm as only they can do.
The snow cones were welcomed by all in the scorching weather
Always tasty, the amazing Bawarchi were on hand to satisfy all taste buds
Gaza Football and Community Club took pride of place under the scoreboard with the BBQ and simply sensational cupcake stand.
Due to the amazing community, public and professional response of, (people being able to attend an event with very little cost to them and gain an understanding of grass roots cricket, while most importantly learn and help a very worthy charity), as a result the Rachel Lawrie T20 Match was nominated for the City of Prospect Australia Day Community Event of the Year 2016, which it went on to win.
MY WHY
1. To illustrate to the general public that I genuinely want to help charities that are close to my heart, while allowing them to see that I’m not all about the sales, I want to put back into community. I want the public to see that I’m a real estate role model raising awareness of a significant health issue, bringing community together to enjoy quality family time, raise awareness of SACA Grade Cricket and most importantly I’m a genuine person who serve’s the community in a professional real estate manner.
2. To be the ultimate role model for my two amazing young girl’s. I’ve had outstanding success, despite illness and it’s extremely important that my children see me giving back to the community that supports us as a family. Filled with pride, my girls now actively partake in the charity events. They now emotionally feel the importance of helping and with time will understand why I conduct myself in such a professional, morally positive and ethical manner.
Plans have begun for the next T20, scheduled for Tuesday 10th of January 2017. A slightly different format will occur to obtain more celebrity and crowd participation/attendance. The next charity I’ll support has been selected and negotiations have commenced on how to try and raise as much money as possible.