ALL eyes will be on Casadio Park tomorrow night when a blockbuster between International and Gambier Centrals kicks off round five of the Limestone Coast Football Association season.
However, the Saturday afternoon fixture is about more than the game and the focus will be on giving back to the community through a Foodbank can drive.
It comes as International Soccer Club reaches out for ways to increase its positive footprint within the region, with fellow LCFA clubs jumping on the bandwagon to show their support as well.
“The motivating factor was we wanted to give back to the community,” International Soccer Club can drive organiser Michael Prior said.
“The International Soccer Club and the Italo Club are moving forward in a way that we want to assist the community as much as we can and we saw this as a great way to do that.”
Centrals was quick to jump on board with the idea and if tomorrow’s drive is successful another is hoped to be held on September 6 for the Inter v Apollo fixture.
Vince Versace has been the link between Inter and Foodbank, as a long-serving member within both organisations and he said Foodbank had been grateful for the added support.
Events like these are important now more than ever as people battle the economical and emotional hurdles of the current climate induced by COVID-19.
“The good thing about Foodbank is what is donated stays right here in the South East,” Versace said.
“We have had a huge increase in the number of people now who are trying to get access to food and also by doing the breakfast program it has been putting some strain on resources.”
He said the aim was to get as many people on board and it is hoped there will be plenty of donations at the gate throughout tomorrow’s full round of games, which start at 11.50am with the Under 12 clash, through to the anticipated A Grade contest at 6pm under lights.
As a Saturday fixture it opens further reach within the soccer community, as players and fans from other clubs will not have their own match-day commitments.
However, the opportunity to help out the cause is not limited to those within the soccer fraternity.
“It is not just about soccer, the van will be located in an area where you do not have to drive in and go to the soccer,” Prior said.
The Foodbank van will be parked at the entry to Casadio Park from 11am and will take both donations of food and money.
Both Inter and Centrals have donated around $200 worth of food each to get the ball rolling.
Looking to the other round five games Apollo will host Blue Lake, while Millicent welcomes Naracoorte to its pitch, with both match-ups played in the normal Sunday format.
