Carlton's players have been involved in key initiatives that have supported our key charity partners as part of the 2013 Bendigo Community Camp.
Boots For All has featured prominently throughout the camp, with Blues stars Bryce Gibbs and Kade Simpson lending their support to this wonderful cause while meeting the locals at the Bendigo Australia Post Shop. Dozens of people also donated their old boots and sporting equipment to the Boots For All cause at the Auskick Super Clinic, held at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Joanne Rockwell, founder of Boots For All, last night thanked both the Carlton Football Club and Australia Post for the support they have shown for Boots For All at the Fundraising Dinner. The dinner, which is being hailed as a great success, raised money for the local football clubs in Bendigo.
It was an early start this morning for Captain Carlton who was king of the kids at YMCA’s Lightning Reef Early Learning Centre. Captain Carlton spent an hour involving himself in a range of kindergarten activities including bike riding, ball handling and building sandcastles. For some children, it was the first time that they had handled a football. All the children involved walked away with free Auskick soft-touch footballs as a souvenir of the day, which will not doubt serve as a reminder of the experience that they shared with the Carlton Football Club.
Later in the afternoon, Rob Warnock, Jeremy Laidler, Jaryd Cachia, Andy Collins and Pat McCarthy made the trip out to California Gully Oval to run a training session with the Reclink Bendigo Victory Football Team.
Prior to the training session, players from both teams got to know each other by sharing past experiences and motivations. The Blues players involved organised a “half court” style practice match that allowed newly appointed coach and ex-Saints player Austin Jones to scout the talent of his team.
Post match, players shared their knowledge and educated the Bendigo Victory players about nutrition, preparation and healthy lifestyles. Both parties benefited from the experience.
Click here to learn more about Carlton's community programs.
