Central District captain Luke Habel generously makes donations to rival SANFL clubs
As each SANFL team battles financial hardship from the coronavirus crisis, one captain has not only made a significant contribution to his own club but thrown support behind his rivals.
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Central District captain Luke Habel says he would “feel sick in the guts” if any SANFL club went under due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
That is why the first-year Bulldogs skipper has not only made a significant contribution to his own club’s fundraiser, but generously donated to the seven other stand-alone teams as each battles the financial hardship of no football.
Habel was reluctant to put his own name up in lights but told The Messenger his selfless act came down to his love for the competition.
“I would feel sick in the guts even if one of the teams had to fold,” said Habel, who works as a schoolteacher.
“I’m passionate about the SANFL like a lot of people are and anyone that’s been involved in footy or sporting clubs knows it doesn’t matter what walk of life you’re from, you’re a unified collective from players to volunteers to supporters.
“It’s like a second home or an outlet to everyone. It affects so many people.
“I’m not one for public notification, I donated because the SANFL competition has been so good to me and I don’t want other people to lose the opportunities like its given me.”
So far Central’s “Never Yield” campaign has raised more than $52,000 from 370 donations and Habel said the response from Dogs supporters and wider SANFL community was heartening.
Central District chief executive Kris Grant hoped the captain’s generosity would inspire SANFL supporters to get behind their own clubs and others.
“We need eight SANFL teams to come out of this, it’s absolutely vital,” Grant said.
“The issue we still have is the unknown and the longer this goes the harder it gets.
“We’ve still had people coming in for memberships and home match tickets, knowing there may not be any football.
“It’s really heartening to know there's diehard supporters out there willing to do that.”
West Adelaide is another club which has put the call out for financial help with its “Keep the Pack Running” campaign.
The Bloods have so far raised more than $20,000 of their $50,000 target from 127 donations.
Meanwhile North Adelaide, Glenelg, Sturt, South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens have also set up online pages for those wanting to donate.
Norwood is selling a range of merchandise based around the club’s Latin motto “Fortis in Procella” – strength in adversity.
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