SANFL club Central District sends out rallying cry to raise $250,000 to save it from extinction amid coronavirus crisis
Long-time Central District chief executive Kris Grant is calling on people to support a fundraising campaign to keep the club running, as the Bulldogs face the worst crisis in his 40-plus years at the kennel.
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The SANFL’s most dominant club of the past 20 years has called on the public to help save it from extinction.
Central District – which won nine premierships in 11 years from 2000-10 – has sent out a rallying cry to raise $250,000 in a desperate bid to stay alive as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to draw a line through the SANFL season.
With the season officially put on hold until at least May 31 and Glenelg president Peter Carey questioning whether it will go ahead at all this year, long-time Bulldogs chief executive Kris Grant said his club had never been in a more precarious position.
“Having been in the position of chief executive since 1977 I have never been so concerned about the club’s future, so getting support is imperative,’’ Grant said.
Central wants to raise $250,000 through a fundraising campaign set up with the Australian Sports Foundation.
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President/chairman David Cavenett said that with no games being played the only money the northern suburbs-based club had brought in was from “loyal supporters who have purchased memberships and a few sponsors to whom we are extremely grateful’’.
The Bulldogs’ licensed club, Grand Central, had closed under government legislation.
“With no footy and no income, Central District Football Club’s future is on the line,’’ Cavenett said in a passionate plea to keep the club afloat.
“Central is more than just a football club, it is a great escape for the wider community of the northern suburbs but without support, this could be lost forever.
“Our survival in the SANFL is at stake.
“We are calling on our passionate community, supporters and all members of the SA football family to make a donation to save our club.
“If you are a lifelong fan or you are a parent of one of the many Auskickers that get to have a kick and a catch at halftime, now more than ever, your club needs your support.
“We understand everyone in our community is doing it hard but, if you can, please support our football club.’’
Club legend John Platten – a Magarey Medallist with the Bulldogs and Brownlow Medallist with Hawthorn and a current assistant coach at Central – has joined the Dogs’ rallying cry.
“Without your support the football club, the club that helped me, could be lost forever, so jump on board,’’ he said.
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Central has produced a video to promote its “Never Yield’’ fundraising campaign.
It features impassioned calls for help from Cavenett, Grant, Platten, captain Luke Habel, players Kyle Presbury and Daniel Menzel, women’s vice-captain Gemma Doughty and long-time supporter Cathie Smith.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW: