Swans win hearts
THE Sydney Swans have just found themselves hundreds of new fans in Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands.
Several students from AFL Cape York House for girls were on hand at Cazalys Stadium on Friday as the Swans gave 2020 season apparel to the local Cairns community.
With Friday being the last day of the school term, many of the students were about to return to their home communities and AFL Cape York general manager Rick Hanlon said they will be proudly on display throughout the region for the next fortnight.
“We have 90-odd kids going home this week, as far as Yam and Badu Island, and all the Cape York and Gulf communities,” Hanlon said.
“Our young people will get home and flash all the new gear to their mob.”
Local mental health nurse
Shawna Dalton from MHATODS, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service also accepted a care package to be taken back to Aurukun, while local clubs such as North Cairns, Manunda and City Lions also received Swans gear.
“To supply over 500 items to our community is an amazing gesture by the Sydney Swans and one as a community we greatly appreciate and will benefit from,” AFL Cairns president Gary Young said.
Experienced Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy said it is always a special moment to hand over their gear to the local community following a footy season and was proud to provide it to FNQ people this year, an area that has embraced the club over the past month.
Sydney finish its 2020 campaign against Geelong on the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon.