Adelaide Oval has become the latest Australian sports stadium to announce a special event designed to raise funds for those affected by the devastating bushfires, with players from rival AFL Aussie rules football clubs Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide to meet in a Twenty20 cricket game.
The rivalry between the two South Australia clubs, dubbed the ‘Showdown’ of the AFL, will transfer to the cricket pitch on February 2. Organisers said players from the two teams will be joined by some of cricket’s biggest names for the fixture.
All net proceeds from ticketing, catering, sponsorship and all other donations will go to the SA Bushfire Appeal, which will raise vital funds for people directly affected by bushfires in Cudlee Creek and on Kangaroo Island.
The event has been put together after a suggestion from a local resident on Twitter. All tickets will be sold as general admission tickets and will be priced at Aus$20 (£10.50/€12.50/$13.75) for adults, Aus$5 for kids and Aus$40 for families. The state government has also announced that it will be providing free public transport to all those attending the match.
Adelaide Oval CEO Andrew Daniels said: “Adelaide Oval is honoured to host this great initiative for such an important cause, which brings together cricket and football in one of the most legendary rivalries in South Australian sport – the Showdown.
“Like everyone witnessing these tragic events unfold, we have been wanting to do something meaningful to help. We’d certainly love to fill the stadium and for people to come along and help us raise as much money as possible, while also taking a moment to be together during this difficult time.”
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall added: “It’s incredible to see the continual outpouring of generosity and support from the South Australian community to support those affected by the devastating bushfires.
“Now we have the sporting community banding together to put on what will be a fantastic and entertaining event to raise money for this great cause. The show of community spirit has been overwhelming and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected and help get them back on their feet.”
News of the Adelaide Oval event today (Friday) comes after the AFL yesterday confirmed that Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium will host a landmark State of Origin match to raise funds for the bushfire relief effort.
Victoria will face off against an All-Stars line-up on February 28. Money raised from the match will be donated to a community relief fund set up by the AFL to help rebuild Aussie rules facilities torn apart by the bushfires.
The AFL has committed Aus$1.35m towards the relief effort, with clubs providing Aus$900,000 and the AFL Players Association pledging Aus$250,000.
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