SOUTH East charity Four Reasons Why held its inaugural Four Reasons Why Cup recently, which showcased junior soccer talent under lights at Casadio Park.
Blue Lake and International Soccer Clubs’ Under 12’s faced off, with the latter coming away 3-0 victors and claiming the inaugural cup.
However, the night was not about winners and losers and had a key focus on giving back to the sporting community.
All proceeds raised from the event will go back into paying memberships for youth who are doing it tough and may otherwise miss out on playing their beloved sport.
Four Reasons Why founder Trudi Shelton said the goal is to provide memberships within every club in the Limestone Coast Football Association and South East Women’s Football Association.
“With the Four Reasons Why Cup, all the proceeds will go towards our campaign for sports memberships,” she said.
“We are going to start out with soccer and the idea is that we have enough to approach every soccer club – in both the female and male leagues – and provide two memberships for youths.
“The soccer clubs can help identify families who need that, obviously with discretion and confidentiality.”
Shelton said if the event – which will be held annually – builds in popularity, the dream is to then include other sports in the community as well.
With many families and young people in the community going through hard times, Shelton said sport is somewhat of a therapy, and being involved in a club and the camaraderie of a team can be a great way to deal with hardship.
However, financially this is not always a possibility.
“The focus would be mainly on high school kids,” Shelton said.
“You do not get the government $50 voucher when you hit high school so it is a lot more expensive for kids to play sport.
“Everything will stay local – all donations stay local for locals.”
With the idea for the cup event coming from Blue Lake Soccer Club’s Sean Fulton, Shelton’s additional idea to insert the funds raised back into memberships saw players and families eager to participate.
“Inter jumped on board straight away, before they even knew the money was going back into memberships,” Shelton said.
“Once they knew they were even more on board.”
Shelton said it was also a positive way to showcase the talents of the Under 12’s, who can often be lost in the excitement of other grades in weekly competition.
“It allowed the Under 12 boys to showcase their skills and talent,” she said.
“It was under lights, which they do not usually play.
“It was pretty cool for them to be the real focus of attention.”
Shelton said the aim is to continue to grow the Four Reasons Why Cup into the future, and said it would be open to anyone who wants to be a part of it.
She encourages other clubs to become involved and back the worthy cause.
