Sport
26 February, 2025
Over 40s football and netball matches to support bushfire impacted communities
Teams being finalised for GCH 40s football and netball matches.
Local footballers and netballers will be pulling on their boots and dusting off their bibs for the 2025 Over 40s football and netball matches to support a cause close to home.
The sixth edition of the annual event supported by Grampians Community Health will be at Alexandra Oval on Saturday, March 15 with money raised going towards mental health support for bushfire impacted communities across the region.
The games are organised by the 'Our Community, Our Families' Committee and supported by Grampians Community Health.
Committee chair Mark Dohnt, who will be pulling on the boots again this year, said it was decided to give back to the local community with this year's fundraising.
"We had talked about different causes to support but then we spoke to Kate Astbury from Grampians Community Health who said there were a lot of people affected by the bushfires who are really struggling," Mr Dohnt said.
"It's something that's really impacting on the whole region and it's a cause close to home so we hope the community will really to support us.
"We know a lot of people affected by the fires are doing it tough, and it has also been challenging for the volunteer firefighters."
Mr Dohnt said that while the games had an important function to raise funds for a local cause, they wouldn't be played too seriously on the field and courts.
"They are a lot of fun for the people playing as well as the spectators," he said.
Organisers are still trying to finalise teams, with a few spare spots still to fill.
If anyone would like to participate as a player, they can contact Mr Dohnt at bullyfish21@yahoo.com.au.
The curtain raiser will be practice matches between Ararat Rats and Ballarat Swans and the over-40s main football game will start at 5.30pm, to be played under lights.
Netball will be a 'round robin' competition between six local sides and will start at 3.30pm with the grand final scheduled at 6.30pm.
Gate entry is $5 and there is a raffle with three draws for two dressed lambs valued at $350 each courtesy of Ararat Meat Works and a load of wood.