The South Australian Produce Market and the State Government have partnered with Adelaide United to hold a second annual charity football match to raise funds to reduce financial hardship for primary producers and small related agricultural businesses in South Australia.
The South Australian Produce Market (SAPM), Pick a Local, Pick SA!, and Foodland, together with Bank SA and the State Government, including the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, have rallied together for the second annual charity match where all funds raised will be collected by the Rural Business Support Relief Fund. The match is expected to raise up to $100k.
The two teams, ‘Pick A Local, Pick SA!’ vs. ‘State Government’, will take to the home of South Australian football at Coopers Stadium as a curtain-raiser for Adelaide United as they take on Macarthur FC on Friday, April 12. Fans are urged to attend the curtain-raiser to support the cause.
The match will see SAPM Chief Executive Officer, Angelo Demasi, put his boots on with a mixed team of growers, wholesalers, and retailers who will play against a team of SA Ministers and parliamentarians from all sides of politics and government representatives.
“As an industry, we wanted to show our support to Primary Producers affected by and facing hardship,” SAPM Chief Executive Officer, Angelo Demasi, said. “South Australian growers have been resilient and continue to provide the State with quality fresh fruit and vegetables and primary produce, and we wanted to show our continued support and appreciation in challenging times.”
Each player will be supported through donations to take to the pitch as part of the team.
Adelaide United Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Kosmina, said: “Adelaide United is thrilled to back this cause for a second consecutive year and lend a hand in raising more funds. The club is proud in making meaningful difference where it’s needed most.”
Rural Business Support Chief Executive Officer, Brett Smith, said: “Rural Business Support has for the second year been chosen as the charity partner to provide household relief to farming families because of our intimate knowledge of the regional communities and the individual families that are in most immediate need.”
“Money raised through the charity match will be used by our Relief Fund to assist farming families who are already doing it tough to meet their everyday needs, such as putting food on their own tables, while they recover from the events impacting industries.”
South Australian primary producers have battled with fruit fly, floods, hailstorms, and unseasonal cool weather in recent years that has all affected production. Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven, was delighted to accept the challenge of the rematch and to rally members of the State Government to get involved.
“What a wonderful opportunity to come together and raise money for our hardworking and incredibly resilient primary producers,” Minister Clare Scriven said.
The two teams will play a pre-match curtain-raiser game at Coopers Stadium on Friday, April 12, 2024, with kick-off at 4:45 pm. Tickets to attend the match are available at Ticketek.
