Aussie soccer star Mary Fowler has surprised members of West Brunswick Football Club with $50k in cash funding, crowned winners of the Uber Reserve Grade Heroes competition.
In March, Fowler teamed up with the ride share provider on a quest to find Australia’s most deserving reserve grade sports team.
Gathered obliviously at the amateur club’s training grounds in Melbourne, players were shocked to see the 21-year-old’s familiar face pop up on a Zoom call to deliver the news.
The competition was launched after research from Australian Sports Foundation revealed one in four regional and remote Australian sporting clubs had experienced declining participant registrations due to the rising cost of living.
West Brunswick was awarded the prize money by the striker in consultation with a panel of judges from Hello Sport and Uber.
Fowler told the club: “When I watched your entry, it was one of the one’s that touched me the most. Very inspiring, and I think you should give yourselves a pat on the back for the work you do.”
Taken aback, members were thrilled to hear their facilities would be receiving the game-changing $50k cash injection.
Accepting a giant cheque, club representatives articulated why they believed they were worthy competition winners.
“West Brunswick is definitely that team that is community and local sport,” a club member said.
“We are a club that’s all volunteer run, we don’t have a school behind us or any other institution. It’s all off our own backs and enthusiasm, and effort.”
Facing a season with no pavilion facilities, aging equipment, and an oval under construction, the $50k grant is sure to re-energise the club and its members.
Building on their values as an inclusive organisation, West Brunswick will look to focus its support towards First Nations and LGBTQIA communities, as well as building on their work in the parents and carers, as well as disability spaces.