Central Football 24-hour fundraiser aims to break down barriers to the sport
Central Football Hawke’s Bay aims to raise a significant contribution towards its ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ fund by hosting a 24-hour Football Festival later this month.
As part of Central Football’s community focus of ensuring football/futsal is accessible to all, CF Hawke’s Bay will host its inaugural Breaking Down Barriers – 24hr Football Festival at Park Island, Napier, on March 27 and 28.
Click here for the 24 HR Football Festival Facebook page.
The concept is a simple one, to raise money and celebrate football through football. The event will run from 4.30pm Friday afternoon and finish at the same time on the Saturday afternoon.
The festival will include multiple football games and activities including competitive matches. There will also be item auctions via CF social media in the days leading up to the event.
“We wanted to come up with something different which, as well as raising funds, enforces our commitment to the community,” says Leon Birnie, CF Community Development Manager.
“We are looking forward to the ongoing impact this will have across the Federation in Football and Futsal throughout the year.”
The festival will encompass Junior Football matches, Charity Cup games, Senior League games, Tiny Tots session, Football Boot Camp with a personal trainer, and a night-time five-a-side tournament, among other activities. Some parts of the festival will be user-pays and others will be covered via sponsorship.
The money raised will go into CF’s Breaking Down Barriers fund with eligible people, clubs and schools who qualify will be able to apply to CF for to assist with:
playing apparel, boots and shin pads,
providing resources and support to low decile schools to facilitate football activities,
launching football in ethnic diverse communities,
financial help for club fees for individuals to join.
“This is a really great idea that our development team have come up with and we’re hoping it gets plenty of support,” says Central Football CEO Darren Mason.
“It’s not just an opportunity for the football community to come together but the business community and general public to be involved also. The original brainstorm came from our Marketing Co-Ordinator, Kara Ross, and has now become this really exciting concept. I’m looking forward to seeing where Kara and our Hawke’s Bay team have taken it to by the time it kicks off on the 27th of March, but I am sure our local community will get behind it.”
A full timetable for the event and sponsorship opportunities will be available ahead of the festival. Individuals and businesses who would like to enquire about being involved are asked to email kara@centralfootball.co.nz for more information.
