One Tree Hill and Tea Tree Gully Soccer clubs unite for CFS fundraiser match

Two local soccer clubs will take part in a fundraiser match this Saturday – and it has an extra significance for one of the star players.

Tea Tree Gully’s Matthew Else (L) with One Tree Hill’s Nathan Maurer are ready for their clubs’ annual CFS fundraiser match. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Nathan Maurer knows first hand how important SA’s Country Fire Service is to the local community.

Maurer’s family home at Humbug Scrub was destroyed in a fire caused by a faulty airconditioner five days before Christmas in 2013.

Together with his mother Yvonne, dad Tony and younger sister Emily, Maurer spent the next year living in a one-bedroom granny flat while their home was rebuilt.

They moved back in a once the house was rebuilt, only to be forced to evacuate just five days after returning as the Sampson Flat bushfire raged towards the home.

But thanks to the efforts of the CFS, their property was saved.

Maurer’s soccer club, One Tree Hill will join forces with local rivals Tea Tree Gully this Saturday for a fundraiser friendly to help raise money for both CFS stations.

Tea Tree Gully’s Matthew Else (left) with One Tree Hill’s Nathan Maurer ahead of the CFS Shield Fundraiser event. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The 26-year-old hoped the community would get behind the cause, while being treated to a good game of soccer.

“It’s pretty hard watching your house on fire,” Maurer said.

“I see the CFS as another member of the family and without them I wouldn’t have a home and possibly a family.

“They’ve always been there for us so it’s great to be able to support them.

“It’s all about awareness and getting the local community to understand how much the CFS helps us and supports us.”

One Tree Hill usually lines up in the Saturday Division Two amateur soccer competition, while Tea Tree Gully is in the Sunday first division.

Mauer expected there to be some friendly fire on the pitch but said the game would be played in support of a good cause.

One Tree Hill president Jake Milka was pleased to partner with the club’s local rival for the fundraiser.

One Tree Hill and Tea Tree Gully soccer club players ahead of last year’s CFS Shield Fundraiser. (L-R) Dylan Rocca, Rhys Devlin Damien Kuypers, Jake Milka, Kyle Moore and Tyler Green. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“We realised that just because there are ‘worse’ years than others, the CFS’s work all year around,” Milka said.

‘Making this an annual event and building bigger and better was going to be the goal.”

Tea Tree Gully’s Matthew Else echoed Milka’s thoughts.

“The horrible Cudlee Creek fires of 2019 highlighted the amazing work the CFS does in protecting lives and assets,” Else said.

“Both clubs are very close to areas that were impacted in this fire.

“The clubs came up with the concept of a charity shield style competition with each club representing their local stations.”

The teams will battle for the CFS Shield and hope to raise about $10,000 — an increase from $8000 raised during last year’s inaugural match.

The event is at the corner of Uley and Hanson roads, Elizabeth Downs, on Saturday from 12pm.

Food trucks, children’s entertainment and a licenced bar will all form part of the day, while raffle tickets will also be available, with all proceeds going to the One Tree Hill and Tea Tree Gully CFS stations.