Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise
Rotary Twenty20 Australia Day Charity Cricket Challenge – “Australia v India”
Former Australian player and Qld Bulls Captain Jimmy Maher will lead a Rotary ‘Australian’ side against the best of the local Indian community in a Twenty20 Charity match to be held at Riverway stadium on 26 January, as part of the 2010 Australia Day celebrations.
Event organisers, the Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise, are hoping for a big crowd with the public asked to donate a gold coin for entry, with all proceeds to the Salvation Army.
As well as Jimmy Maher, the Australian Team will include former NBL player Robert Rose, local cricketing legends, and Councillors’ Trevor Roberts and David Crisafulli.
The Indian team will comprise the cream of local sub-continent talent, while both teams will include a number of special ‘guest stars’ whose names will be revealed in coming weeks.
Four players from the general public will also be given an opportunity to play alongside Jimmy Maher via a competition being promoted through the Townsville Bulletin website, simply explaining in twenty words or less why they should be on the team.
President of the Townsville Rotary Sunrise Andrew Gisinger said teams would be finalised in coming weeks with some high profile sporting stars expected to sign on for the charity event. “Australia Day at Riverway is a fantastic day of free activities for the family and we hope an exciting cricket game will encourage even more people to come down, have some fun and raise money for the work of the Salvos,” Mr Gisinger said. “Jimmy Maher’s batting alone is worth the price of a gold coin admission and we know the Indian community and our guest players are taking the game seriously and will be keen to show their talent. We’re expecting plenty of sixes, as well as some bruised egos.”
President of the Townsville Indian Community Mr Chakri Macha said competition for spots in the Indian team was high, with some very capable players already turning heads at practice sessions. “Like Australian, Indians take their cricket very seriously when we’ve on the field and we all know that pride will be on the line at Riverway,” Mr Macha said. “This is a fantastic concept and we’re expecting the whole Indian community to show up to support the team and create a great family and festive atmosphere.”
Salvation Army Public Relations Director Bruce Harmer said he was delighted that proceeds would benefit the work of the Salvation Army, which is always under a lot of pressure to deliver community assistance to at this time of year. “We’re really pleased that we can be involved in a family event that highlights a good cause, but also one that promotes cultural understanding,” Mr Harmer said.
Deputy Mayor Cr David Crisafulli said the Townsville City Council was keen to lend its support to the charity event, meeting the costs of the Tony Ireland Stadium. “We are really excited about being involved as a Council and hope we can help make an ‘international’ charity game an annual event for the city. “I’ll be in the nets this weekend getting my eye back in but I don’t expect David Warner’s got much to worry about,” Cr Crisafulli said.
The day will start at 9.00am with a Ten10 Cricket Match between local Rotarian’s and community leaders followed by the Twenty20 match at 11.00am with the Rotary Australian Team taking on the Indian Team.
A Corporate Luncheon will also be conducted in the viewing room, where patrons can watch all the action of the Cricket Challenge and keep up to date with the One day International on the big screen. Anyone interested can contact Tracy Lim on 4725 8111.
