Tasty treat as Tigers star Jack Riewoldt signs up with National Pies

Fresh from his epic charity ride across the state, Richmond AFL star Jack Riewoldt has signed on as the ambassador of an iconic Tasmanian bakery. LATEST >>

RICHMOND star Jack Riewoldt is the new face of National Pies after coming on board as its new ambassador.

The proud Tasmanian said aligning with the iconic Tasmanian bakery was an easy decision.

“They are a really great Tasmanian brand and I really enjoy coming home and eating pies so being an ambassador is a perfect set up,” he said.

Riewoldt said like many Tasmanians he grew up eating National Pies and was excited to be their new ambassador.

“Clarence Footy Club had ‘Pie and Coke’ night at Thursday selection so that was dinner for me on a Thursday night so I certainly grew up on them and I’ve always been a fan,” he said.

“A lot has changed now these days though, so as much as I love the pies I won’t be eating them a couple of nights out from a game but as a recovery meal the next day after slogging it out on the MCG there’s no better feed.”

Jack Riewoldt National Pies

National Pies CEO Geraldine Tebbutt was thrilled to have the three-time premiership star as their new ambassador.

“We are very excited to have Jack on board,” Mrs Tebbutt said.

“We’d had some engagement with Jack on social media and so we reached out to him and he’s grown up with National Pies and is a proud Tasmanian and we just thought it was a great fit.

“We were looking for someone with a strong alignment of our values and the way we like to work and we really passionately believe we’ve found that with Jack.

“So we are hopeful that it’s the start of a great long-term partnership.”

‘Emotional moment’ as Ride for Ryan comes to an end

AN emotional Jack Riewoldt has spoken of the special friendship he has formed with injured Cygnet footballer Ryan Wiggins after completing an epic 284km charity cycle through the heart of Tasmania.

Riewoldt, along with cycling champion Richie Porte and 12 other Tasmanians, rode from Devonport to Hobart on Sunday to raise funds for the recovery and rehabilitation of Wiggins, 26, who survived a devastating non-football-related spinal injury in July that left him a quadriplegic.

After reaching the finish line at Hobart’s Parliament Lawns on Sunday evening, an emotional and exhausted Riewoldt shed tears as he spoke about the friendship he had formed with Wiggins.

“Sorry, this is a pretty emotional moment,” Riewoldt said as he fought back tears.

“Ryan, I didn’t know you mate from a bar of soap six months ago and you’ve obviously had something that happened in your life which is devastating.

“You’re a young fella from the Eastern Shore, similar to me, you love footy, and you’ve got a great family, getting to know your mum Annette and your sister Caitlyn, you come from great stock and this has been one hell of a journey.

“You could have easily said you didn’t want this to happen and want the publicity and just sit in the background but you welcomed me in.

“It’s been a hell of a journey over the last four months and we’ve got a lifetime ahead mate to share some more memories and do some more s... like this.

“I don’t know how much crazier and harder it can get but thank you mate for taking me on, I really appreciate it.”

Jack Riewoldt and Richie Porte with Ryan Wiggins after the fundraising ride across Tasmania. Picture: Chris Kidd

Riewoldt and his crew left Devonport at 5am on Sunday and after conquering the 284km ride in just over nine hours, the Richmond star said there was a range of emotions going through his head.

“I’m feeling a few things, I’m a bit emotional, I’m a bit tired obviously but also very fulfilled and humbled,” Riewoldt said.

“To obviously ride from one end of the state to the other is pretty special but I’m just supporting a bloke that needs a hand.

“We’ve raised close to $90,000 and donations will stay open for a little bit still so hopefully we can get to the $100,000 goal.”

To donate visit rideforryan.co

Call for cyclists to join Ride for Ryan peloton

JACK Riewoldt and his 12-man Ride For Ryan crew are motoring their way through their 284km trek from Devonport to Hobart.

Riewoldt said on his Instagram account that the group had just passed through Bothwell and were likely to arrive in Claremont about 4.20pm.

They are asking the public to join the ride for the final 13km from Claremont to Parliament Lawns.

Those who are keen to join can meet at the intercity cycleway in Claremont.

Riewoldt to honour Hillcrest in Ride for Ryan

JACK Riewoldt’s upcoming Ride for Ryan fundraiser for injured Cygnet footballer Ryan Wiggins has smashed through $70,000 with Riewoldt stating the figure would reach around $85,000 come Sunday’s event.

Riewoldt will ride 284km from Devonport to Hobart on Sunday to raise vital funds for the recovery and rehabilitation of Wiggins, 26, who survived a devastating non-football related spinal injury in July that resulted in a near-fatal C2 fracture to his spinal cord and left him a quadriplegic.

“The support has been amazing and really humbling,” Riewoldt said.

“There’s been so many fantastic Tasmanian brands who’ve jumped board and now we are all geared up for Sunday.

Richmond footballer Jack Riewoldt will ride across Tasmania as part of the Ride for Ryan in support of Tassie footballer Ryan Wiggins who suffered a spinal injury from an accident and is now quadriplegic. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“My only worry is we ride too fast and run out of energy so it’ll be slow and steady,” Riewoldt laughed.

Riewoldt was thrilled with the recent announcement that Australian cycling legend Richie Porte would join the first half of the journey from Devonport to the Great Lakes.

“Richie hit me up on social media and I told him I was doing the ride and straight away he said ‘alright I’m in,’ and he’s been true to his word and It’s just another show of support from arguably one of Tasmania’s greatest ever athletes.

Footy legend Jack Riewoldt visits Ryan Wiggins in hospital. Pic: Instagram / @riewoldtjack08

“To have him on board is great and great support for the other 10 guys riding it as well.”

Riewoldt also said his heart was with those affected by the Hillcrest Primary tragedy and that the 12 riders would wear specially made badges bearing the school’s red flowering gum logo.

“Sometimes you don’t know what to do and this is a little token of support to show that once we leave Devonport behind on the journey we’ll constantly be thinking of those young kids and their families.”

Ride for Ryan will get underway around 5am on Sunday in Devonport with the riders expected to arrive at Hobart’s Parliament Lawns between 5pm and 6pm.