ALL WINNERS AT AFL LUNCH
GOLD Coast’s AFL Grassroots Sports Luncheon organiser Geoff Bower has delivered another record event.
The luncheon, held at The Star Gold Coast last Friday, hosted a record 780 people as football identities from around the city gathered to help raise money for local clubs.
Bower said they were still waiting on the final figures of the ninth instalment of the luncheon, hosted by comedian Vince Sorrenti, but hailed it another success.
“Over the nine years we have raised in excess of $400,000 for local clubs,” Bower said.
“This one was the biggest in terms of numbers but even in the first year we had 550 so it was an immediate success and it’s just continued to grow.
“The formula is really simple. You just start with a laugh in the middle and it’s nothing too serious but it’s good fun.
“It’s a great flagwaver for Australian rules footy. We have AFL people all together in one room and I think it would be the biggest AFL function in Queensland.
“The reason for that is people know the money goes back to grassroots community footy clubs.
“There has been overwhelming feedback from the weekend of people saying it was the best yet and that’s what we hear every year.
“Ten years ago corporates would go to five functions a year. Now they go to two and this one is the mandatory one on everyone’s list.
“The clubs who get involved do well out of it.”
Former AFL players Brendan Fevola, Dustin Fletcher and Richard Champion appeared at the luncheon alongside former jockey Simon Marshall.