Grant gives celebrity match a big boost

The Newman Vets Football Club has breathed a sigh of relief after the Shire of East Pilbara approved its application for one of its Community Assistance Grants.

Under the grant, which is designed to promote community development and wellbeing, the football club will receive $6000 in cash and in-kind contributions for the ninth annual Newman Vets Celebrity Match.

Club president Nathan Kemp said the support was greatly appreciated by the club and would go towards bringing celebrities up for the game, promotional gear and general costs to put the game on.

“Our mission is to support the local and wider community of Newman through in-kind labour where possible,” he said.

This year, the proceeds of the game will go to four different organisations including the local radio station 92.9FM, the V Swans Kicking Goals program, the Newman Main Street project and the Newman Day Care Facility.

“Each year in January our committee members start looking around and keeping their ears out for organisations who need support and those four happened to meet our criteria this year,” Kemp said.

“How much each organisation gets all depends on how much is made off the auction night.”

While the celebrities are yet to be announced, in previous years former AFL players Richard Champion and Brodie Holland have appeared, as well as women’s football star Chelsea Randall, who encouraged people to join in for 2017.

“Last year I had the pleasure of participating in the Newman Vets Celebrity Match and this year we’re encouraging everyone to get down to Capricorn Oval,” she said.

The club joins Newman Gymkhana and Polocrosse Club and Empowering People in Communities, which have also received grants from the Shire.

The celebrity match will be held on Saturday, July 29 at 5.30pm.

For tickets, contact Kane Vanderburgt on 0407 999 108 or George Rebeiro on 0409 316 932.