The Riddell District Football Netball League has joined the many organisations contributing to bushfire relief by hosting all-star football and netball matches at Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve on February 16.
The league has joined with Riddells Creek identity Scott Trezise to organise the event which will benefit BlazeAid and the CFA.
The two teams will be made up of clubs representing the east and west of the league.
The East team’s players will come from Riddell, Romsey, Lancefield, Wallan and Woodend Hesket while the West will include players from Rupertswood, Diggers Rest, Melton Centrals, Rockbank and Macedon.
Mr Trezise said he felt hopeless after seeing media coverage of the bushfires and wanted to do something to help.
“I organised a Run for Ryan for a mate of mine in 2011 and we got about 800 people there so I thought I would try something similar,” he said.
“I made a few phone calls and it snowballed from there and everyone as keen to get on board.
Mr Trezise said he wanted to give back to BlazeAid, which had come to the area’s aid during the 2014 bushfire that went through Riddells Creek.
Each club will be represented evenly with five footballers in a 25-man squad and four netballers, one from each grade from A Grade to Under 19s.
Wallan will be represented by Michael Mannix, Ricky Schraven, Patrick Mahoney, Shaun Stewart and Jarryd Bonello.
Jack O’Sullivan, Nathan Rayment, Ayden and Nathan Tessari, Joel Naylor and Aaron Paterson lead Romsey’s contingent.
Luke and Nathan Malone, Matt Bowden, Riley O’Meara and Alan Sinclair will represent Lancefield.
Anthony Power will lead the East, while the West will be coached by ex-AFL player Damian Houlihan.
Netball lists are yet to be finalised but Wallan will be represented by Gemma Grimmond, Lauren Parkinson, Alysha Shepherd and Zoe Phillips while Lancefield will be represented by Gen Zoch, Jordan Furness, Megan Wilson and Meg Dalgleish.
Wallan coach Chris Cameron will lead the East’s netballers.
“My vision is people would come during the day and then everybody can hang around for the footy and netball. I think it’s a fantastic way to finish the day off,” Mr Trezise said.
“Everybody’s put their hand up, even the boys from Riddell. They’re pretty excited and on board.”
The day kicks off at 1pm with live music, auctions, raffles, jumping castle, face painting, barbecue, bar and more before the netball tips off at 4pm with the first bounce of the football at 5.30pm rounding out the day.
Members of the CFA will do a lap around the ground before the game and half time, where people can donate money.
