Adelaide United, Flinders University, and the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) have aligned in support of the #BookThemOut campaign.
SATC’s current #BookThemOut campaign is focusing on encouraging tourists from overseas, interstate, and people from within South Australia to visit Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills. This follows the devastating bushfires that ravaged Cudlee Creek and Kangaroo Island, causing losses in life, family homes and businesses, and wildlife.
To aid the campaign in reaching a broader audience, Adelaide United will wear the #BookThemOut logo on the front of their away shirt for its upcoming match against Brisbane Roar on Saturday evening, and for select away matches for the remainder of the regular Hyundai A-League season.
In conjunction with this, Adelaide United’s Premier Partner, Flinders University, will add further support to the initiative, which will see the Reds wear the #BookThemOut logo on the front of shirt for the Round 22 home match at Coopers Stadium against Western United.
South Australian Premier, Steven Marshall, praised the initiative by Adelaide United, saying: “This is such a great initiative from Adelaide United, and a massive show of support for the communities on Kangaroo Island and in the Adelaide Hills.
“We’ve already seen the cricket and football communities come together to back the #BookThemOut campaign, so to now have our premier soccer team proudly wearing this message for their remaining away games, and a home match, is a substantial way of getting the message out loud and clear, right across the nation – SA is open for business.
“Full credit to both the club, and to Flinders University for supporting this initiative – it shows how everyone is working together on the important job we have at hand, and that is the recovery of these hurting communities.”
Vice Chancellor of Flinders University, Professor Colin Stirling, said: “Flinders University supports this excellent initiative which encourages everyone to visit communities on Kangaroo Island and in the Adelaide Hills impacted by the recent devastating bushfires.
“The University has pledged to pay special leave entitlements to staff who are CFS volunteers for up to four weeks because they shouldn’t have to worry about a paycheque while responding to the tragic bushfires that have swept across SA, and during the recovery effort.
“Special leave has also been offered to staff who have lost their homes and properties.
“The University is actively supporting students and staff to deal with difficult circumstances.”
Meanwhile, Adelaide United Advisory Board Chair and Director, Ian Smith, explained: “With the generosity of our premier partner, Flinders University, we will use the power of football to encourage people here, as well as in Brisbane, Wellington, and Sydney to visit the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island as part of the State’s ongoing bushfire recovery.
“Furthermore, as a truly global sport, we hope to pick up new visitors through those who watch A-League from overseas.
“It is a small, but hopefully effective way the club and its supporters can complement the inspiring work of those communities affected by the fires and the efforts led by the State Government.”
Our #BookThemOut jersey will be available for online purchases now and in-store from Monday, 10 February. The jersey will retail for $99 (one price for all members and non-members) and a portion of the sale will be donated to the SA Bushfire Appeal.
For those that have already purchased the away jersey, the #BookThemOut print is available for purchase at a price of $20, which will be donated to the SA Bushfire Appeal in its entirety.
