Proceeds from the successful River’s Gift fundraiser State of Origin III clash between Ocean Grove Cobras and Glebe Greyhounds have topped more than $17,000.
The junior footy interstate fundraiser which attracted hundreds of people at Collendina Reserve on Sunday 7 July, is a Geelong-based charity focused on stamping out SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Ocean Grove Cobras Junior Football Club president Shaun Stow said strong community support from both clubs saw the clash smash last year’s tally of $5000.
“We were confident between both clubs (we will raised) between $15,000 and $20,000 – which is fantastic and a huge increase on what we previously donated last year and the year before,” Stow said.
River’s Gift general manager Karl Waddell said more funds will be donated with Glebe to re-schedule its ‘Glebe2Geelong Runathon’ this month on 27 July.
“They (Glebe) will do the Runathon and still try to raise a few more dollars,” Waddell said.
“Donations are still coming through on the Glebe fundraising page.”
The Runathon date was postponed after heavy rain in Sydney played havoc with Glebe’s home ground prior to their departure for State of Origin III.
“Whenever there is rain apparently there are council orders (at Glebe) that there is no one to be on the ovals – so that is the reason why it was rained out,” Waddell said.
Glebe juniors will run 940km to raise money for River’s Gift – the distance from Glebe to Geelong and will run laps around its home ground at Jubilee.
MEANTIME Glebe won their first ever State of Origin shield with points collated from the three junior games to determine the winning club.
A large travelling entourage from Sydney-based Glebe turned out in droves, while passionate Ocean Grove Cobras supporters provided strong home town support.
Around 170 plus Glebe personnel including junior footballers, coaches and club supporters made the trek south for the clash.
Glebe won the first of three junior matches – The Under 10s clash was a tight encounter with the visitors winning by four points over the Cobras.
The Cobras hit back in the Under 11s clash and went into the final game with a comfortable 42-point lead.
The fast finishing Greyhounds turned the tables and upstaged the Cobras by 64 points in the final leg and Under 12/13 match to claim the prized shield.
Final scores Glebe Greyhounds 155 points to Ocean Grove Cobras 133 points.
Glebe were crowned winners by an overall margin of 22 points.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t got the shield but the day was a fantastic success,” Stow said.
“The support and atmosphere for both clubs was amazing.
“The games were played in a great spirit.”
Stow confirmed plans were now underway for State of Origin IIII on Glebe’s home turf in Sydney with a date organised for early July next year.
He said the Cobras were motivated to reclaim the shield in 2020.
“Next year we are building a list of players and families to go up (to Sydney),” Stow said.
“There has been great interest already and we have nominated the date and Glebe has invited us back.”
