AFL royalty visit Lismore to boost grassroots footy
The AFL has stepped up, bringing their big guns to Lismore to deliver hope, inspiration and help generate positive memories in the midst of dealing with the aftermath of catastrophic flooding.
Lismore
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lismore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Lismore played host to two big names in the AFL world on Thursday when a convoy arrived to offer their support to grassroots footy clubs struck hard from recent calamitous floods.
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg was joined by Lismore council general manager John Walker, Lismore Swans President Ken McPherson, Casino Lions and NSW AFL regional representatives to welcome the team.
Among them was Hawthorn Football Club head coach Alastair Clarkson and two-time Sydney Swans premiership winner Ryan O’Keefe.
“AFL plays a major role not only on the North Coast but in Australian sporting culture,” Mr Krieg said.
He said it was a “real honour to have two absolute legends of the game” visit Lismore.
Head of AFL NSW/ACT Tiffany Robertson said it was very humbling to be in Lismore.
“It’s really clear to see what an amazing community this is, the resilience that Mr Krieg has shown as a leader and the community responding to and recovering from a really devastating and unprecedented event here,” Ms Robertson said.
“We’re here because we love our great game of AFL, we feel like it brings together community, it gives a sense of belonging.”
Ms Robertson said AFL NSW/ACT want to help build strong and healthy communities.
“Alastair Clarkson and Ryan O’Keefe are here to lean in and work with the Lismore community, the juniors and the seniors, play a little footy, have a little bit of fun and hopefully bring a smile to the community’s faces after a really unprecedented and challenging time,” Ms Robertson said.
AFL NSW/ACT Coaching Development and Education Lead Ryan O’Keefe said when the AFL were organising to see what they could do he put his hand up right away.
“I wanted to come up and see what kind of support I could lend, to give something back to the community,” Mr O’Keefe said.
“I work closely with community football providing support and all for that so to come up here was a no-brainer for me.”
O’Keefe said he wanted to give the AFL community here some hope, to let them know someone was thinking about them.
“Just to provide a bit of enjoyment, even if it’s just an hour, running around kicking the footy with them and they can go back, remember and say “that’s a really good memory”.
“Even the seniors that can come for a run around and a kick, it’s something they can talk about and hopefully give them some joy, take their mind off, might be only a moment in time, from the hardship and reality that’s going on around them,” O’Keefe said.
AFL’s flood assistance
The AFL has distributed almost $70,000 to more than 25 flood affected clubs across NSW in 2022.
National Australia Bank is providing $330,000 in grants of between $2,000 and $10,000 to clubs in NSW and Queensland which will be distributed by the AFL’s Community Relief Fund direct to clubs, and NAB AFL Auskick centres.
NAB will also pay the Auskick registration costs of children at flood affected football clubs nominated by the AFL.
NAB CEO Ross McEwan said NAB recognised the important role community organisations including football clubs played in helping people through natural disasters.
“From purchasing new guernseys and footballs, to restocking the kitchens and repairing clubrooms, these grants will be vital in the recovery from the recent floods.
“Tackling natural disasters takes all of us working together, and with the AFL we’re determined to fund resources that support local communities and football clubs,” Mr McEwan said.
Lismore Swans president Ken McPherson said it was an “absolutely amazing turn out” from AFL NSW.
“To have two legends in Alastair Clarkson and Ryan O’Keefe turn up you know, they have legendary statuses of the modern era.
“Having them turn up with AFL NSW to be a part of this day has been absolutely phenomenal,” he said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the AFL community.”
Mr McPherson said to see all the support in Lismore from the broader AFL community was overwhelming.
Community Football & Competition Manager for Northern NSW, Paul Taylor on the ground in Lismore and why supporting community footy is so important.
Man dead after horror head-on crash
A 62-year-old man is dead and a younger man, 18, has been left badly injured after a two-car crash in northern NSW. Here’s what we know.
Severe epilepsy sufferer ignored, yelled at in throes of seizure
A Tweed singer-songwriter with epilepsy has been left feeling disheartened after being ignored and barked at by bystanders during a seizure episode outside a supermarket.