Adelaide United players have been busy in the community over March after visiting several local football clubs as well as teaming up with our Match Day Community Partners.
Reds players from the senior squad and youth team have so far visited seven clubs after they signed up to the United Clubs Program, brought to you by the Motor Accident Commission.
The United Clubs Program sees our star footballers help support local events from providing tips during training sessions to signing autographs.
Here is a short recap of what we have recently done in the community:
United Club Visits
Para Hills West Soccer Club
Lachlan Brook and Ryan Strain visited Para Hills West Soccer Club on 1 March with over 100 kids attending between the ages of six and 12. The boys helped out with training drills and signed autographs.
Munno Para SC
Munno Para hosted their season launch on 9 March with more than 150 kids present. Pacifique Niyongabire and Lachlan Brook spent time with the juniors, participating in a Q&A as well as taking part in a large match. The visit was also used to raise money to buy football equipment for the junior teams.
West Adelaide SC
On 13 March, Reds players Johan Absalonsen and Michael Marrone went to a West Adelaide training session. Over 150 kids attended between six and 14 with the pair talking about their careers in addition to signing autographs and providing tips in training.
Salisbury Villa
Pacifique Niyongabire and Jordan O’Doherty visited Salisbury Villa on 14 March where more than 80 kids between the ages of six and 14 attended. The duo helped give instructions to the kids during training exercises such as the importance of having a good first touch.
Adelaide Blue Eagles
Also on 14 March, Paul Izzo and Taylor Regan returned to the Reds’ Westfield FFA Cup home, Marden Sports Complex. More than 200 juniors in attendance and held Q&A sessions with each team as well as signing autographs.
Para Hills United
Jordan Elsey and Ryan Strain attended a Para Hills United training session on 20 March which saw 50 kids between six and 14 present. Elsey and Strain imparted their knowledge about the skills of defending and also signed autographs.
Fulham United FC
On 21 March, George Blackwood and Ben Garuccio attended one of Fulham United’s trainings which had over 200 kids between the ages of six and 14 present. They also participated in a Q&A session, discussing all things football from what it takes to become a professional to favourite moments in their young careers.
Other Community Appearances:
Kids Carnival Day – ‘Team Enzo’
Youth Team players Paul Wilson and Ninko Beric visited Kids Carnival Day for ‘Team Enzo’ raising money to support Enzo through his battle with progeria. The boys signed autographs took photos and played games with an impressive turnout of over 500 people through the gates.
Match Day Community Partners
Special Olympics – Round 23
For the Hyundai A-League Round 23 clash against Melbourne City, 30 Special Olympics Athletes made a guard of honour for the players to walk through. Adelaide United’s Ambassador for the Special Olympics National Games was Ryan Kitto, who also met the SA Special Olympics soccer team after the partnership had been formed to promote the importance of inclusive communities.
Welcome to Australia – Round 24
Adelaide United and Welcome to Australia joined forces for Harmony Round ahead of our game with Newcastle Jets. Welcome to Australia is an organisation dedicated to welcoming Australia’s new arrivals and teamed up with the Reds to use the global game of football to promote social harmony. Twenty-two mascots from the Welcome to Australia Group formed a guard of honour. Tarek Elrich and Daniel Adlung were Adelaide United’s ambassadors.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5756735864001
This Month’s Junior Match Day Volunteers
Each home game of the 2017/18 Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League seasons our junior match day volunteers are supplied through our ‘United Clubs Program’. These are the clubs that were player mascots, ball kids, half time mini-roos and Hyundai mat volunteers.
- Round 23 vs Melbourne City – Para Hills Knights
- Round 24 vs Newcastle Jets – Modbury Jets
- Round 25 vs Wellington Phoenix – Adelaide City
Adelaide United host Wellington Phoenix in Round 25 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Friday, 30 March at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
