WA footy clubs receive money-can't-buy footy experienceFriday, April 1, 2016 - 10:30 AM

The Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club and Canning Vale Senior Football Club are celebrating after winning the ultimate behind-the-scenes football experience in Melbourne thanks to the FOX FOOTY Cub Rewards Program.

While applications for the 2016 FOX FOOTY Club Rewards program opened this week, successful entrants of the 2015 program, the Bombers and the Vultures were the two Western Australian grassroots football clubs to have had six representatives from their club fly to Melbourne for the experience.

Six lucky club members flew to Melbourne and received a personalised tour of the FOX FOOTY Studios and the Essendon Football Club’s True Value Solar Centre club facilities, hosted by head coach, John Worsfold, and his coaching staff.

The FOX FOOTY Club Rewards program is an initiative created by Foxtel whereby local football clubs are recognised for the benefits they have delivered to their local communities, be it through fundraising for a charitable cause, broader community development initiatives or helping out a club member in a time of need.

Worsfold, who grew up playing his junior football at South Fremantle Football Club, said local football clubs are the backbone of the community.

“Grassroots clubs have an enormous role to play for their local town and its members, so we’re delighted to host both Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club and Canning Vale Senior Football Club at the True Value Solar Centre,” Mr Worsfold said.

“By giving them behind the scenes access of a professional club’s facilities and AFL club coaching staff, the aim will be to have these visiting clubs go away with an understanding of the levels of professionalism, education into the latest analysis that goes into the game and insight into the culture that shapes an elite club environment.”

The Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club developed StarKick - an all-abilities program for both boys and girls from 5-12 years of age, catering for those children who by circumstances or choice are unable to join in an existing football environment. The program aims to cater for all disabilities and currently has over 50 children participating from all over Perth.

The Canning Vale Senior Football Club raised over $50,000 following an on-field accident that saw Cougars player, Damian Waight, paralysed from the neck down in one of their matches.

A fundraiser an auction night was held at the club, as well as the club holding a charity match with everyone rallying behind 'doitfordamo', with all proceeds going towards Damian’s medical costs. Damian, as a result, has just recently returned to work.

Speaking on behalf of both clubs, Coolbinia Bombers representative Rob Geersen was ecstatic that the hard work on and off the field from the club had been acknowledged by the program.

“Our club is very lucky to have had inner sanctum access of an AFL club. Despite the differences in leagues and levels of professionalism, we feel there were definitely learnings we could take from our visit and apply them at our own club,” Mr Geersen said.

“We’d like to thank Foxtel and FOX FOOTY for giving us the chance to be a part of the Club Rewards program, as well as John Worsfold and the Essendon Football Club for the opportunity to be shown around their facilities.”

In 2016, the FOX FOOTY Club Rewards program will continue to reward grassroots clubs for their outstanding work in the community.

Foxtel Director of Sports Marketing Chantal Walker hopes that the exciting opportunities provided to the grassroots clubs is just reward for their ongoing work to contribute to their community.

“We’re thrilled to continue to provide these clubs the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in football and witness an element of these professional sporting clubs they wouldn’t otherwise get to experience. The prizes are truly unique, however are thoroughly deserved for these winners who have some truly inspiring stories of assistance for their communities,” said Ms Walker.

“It’s important to recognise those clubs that go above and beyond to give back to their communities and both Foxtel and FOX FOOTY are proud to reward these clubs with what they hopefully see as a great opportunity to further grow their clubs.”

Applications for the 2016 FOX FOOTY Club Rewards program are now open. For more information on the FOX FOOTY Club Rewards program and how to apply, visit www.foxtel.com.au/foxfootyclubrewards