Adelaide United FC will use tomorrow’s home game against the Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium to again throw its support behind ‘Poppy Appeal Week’ and Remembrance Day.
Adelaide United FC will use tomorrow-s home game against the Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium to again throw its support behind ‘Poppy Appeal Week- and Remembrance Day.
In what has now become an annual event and tradition on the Reds- calendar each year, the club will pay tribute to the day of world significance at its home game closest to the date of November 11.
It is an initiative the Reds have done for the past two years and Adelaide United CEO Glenn Elliott says it is something the club is honoured to be able to contribute to in raising awareness and acknowledging the time of the year that marks the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War One, which lasted from 1914-1918.
Traditionally on this day each year Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11am on the 11th of November in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.
“Remembrance Day and ‘Poppy Appeal Week- is an opportunity for this code to recognise. Remembrance Day has largely been a date on the calendar which so many in Australia aren-t as acutely aware of as maybe they should be,” Elliott said.
“One of the things from our perspective is that we are playing the world game, this is a world event in terms of a date noting the end of the first World War, and we-ve entered into a partnership with the RSL three years ago, and it is a partnership that we are keen to do this every year.”
“To all of the fans that have been to this game in the last two years, they have been particularly moving events and I think that in recognising a young South Australian in Tomas Dale who lost his life serving this country has special significance for this club.”
While the Round 5 Hyundai A-League fixture at Coopers Stadium might not fall on Remembrance Day itself, it is all part of ‘Poppy Appeal Week- which continues to gain increased awareness.
“Remembrance Day and ‘Poppy Appeal Week- around the community has been growing and we-ve been overwhelmed by the support here in South Australia this year,” RSL SA/NT State President Tim Hanna said.
“It has really taken on a proportion similar to Anzac Day so we-re really pleased to have a relationship with Adelaide United and to get them to help us to mark this very significant occasion in the Australian community.”
There will be a Ceremony of Remembrance in conjunction with RSL South Australia prior to kick-off on Saturday, including the reading of the Ode of Remembrance, bugle renditions of the Last Post and Rouse, as well as a moment of silence.
Adding further significance is the presentation of the Tomas Dale Medal at the conclusion of the game to a player adjudged to have displayed outstanding sportsmanship.
Private Tomas Dale was killed in action in Afghanistan in August 2010 at the tender age of 21 while part of the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. His parents, Karen and David Dale, gave permission for the medal to be named in Tomas- honour and will present the medal at the end of the game. Previous winner of the medal have been Iain Ramsay and Dario Vidosic.
Navy cadets from Training Ship Adelaide will also be selling poppies at the entry gates and patrons coming to the game are encouraged to arrive early for the ceremony.
Gates open at 3.30pm and tickets for the match are available through Ticketek.
