Adelaide United XI to take on NPL All Stars in soccer fundraiser for bushfires victims across SA
The cream of local soccer talent is set to take on Adelaide United in a one-off charity match, to raise funds for those devastated by bushfire disasters across SA.
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The South Australian soccer community is set to come together, as the cream of local talent takes on Adelaide United to raise funds for those devastated by the state’s bushfire disasters.
The National Premier Leagues All Stars will face a Reds XI at Marden Sports Complex on Wednesday, February 5, with all proceeds donated to the SA Bushfire Appeal.
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United playmaker James Troisi said it was an opportunity to support people affected by the recent fires and take steps towards safeguarding the future.
“Ultimately football is a game we play, but on occasions like this and tragedies like this it helps unite and bring people together,” SA-born Troisi said.
“It’s a shocking time for Australia and in terms of what’s happening in the world, it’s not good.
“But it’s fantastic that we can play our part in helping out this beautiful country we live in and it’s great to see Australians looking after each other and supporting each other.
“We need to fix this situation, but we need prevention as well and there’s definitely things that need to change.
“Hopefully people come out in numbers (for the match), which is what we need to support this great cause.”
More than 490,000ha of land across SA, mainly on Kangaroo Island and in the Adelaide Hills, has been scorched in bushfires since November, while 151 houses have been destroyed.
Three people have died in the tragedies.
Campbelltown City’s Alex Mullen will line up for the NPL side, which will be based on the SA top flight’s team of the year and feature representatives from all 12 clubs.
The midfielder, who spent 2015/16 with A-League outfit Sydney FC, said it was a chance to help bushfire victims rebuild and showcase the quality of the state-based competition.
“It’s a fantastic thing that we’re doing as a community,” Mullen, 27, said.
“It’s just really humbling to see everyone banding together and getting around this great cause.
”Hopefully it might also be a trigger to implement a few changes and act as a wake up call in regards to what we’re doing to planet earth.
“The game is a great concept and it should be a good spectacle.
“It will showcase the better players of the NPL and demonstrate just how close we are (in standard) to these A-League players if we’re given an opportunity.”
Former Socceroo and five-time title-winning Campbelltown coach Joe Mullen, Alex Mullen’s uncle, will lead the NPL side.
Organisers hope to raise more than $30,000 from the match (7.20pm kick-off), bolstered by proceeds from children’s activities, raffles and a silent auction.
Admission costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are available here.