Football fans nationally have the chance to purchase a piece of memorabilia from the 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series while supporting Ladder, an AFL player led charity tackling youth homelessness in the community.
Woolworths, the Official Supermarket of the AFL, announced today that they will be supporting Ladder by selling the Replica 2015 AFL Premiership Cup Pins in their stores nationally from Monday September 7 for $5.00.
Proceeds from the sale of the Replica 2015 AFL Premiership Cup Pins will go directly back to Ladder’s projects.
Ladder CEO, Mark Bolton, said the partnership between Ladder, the AFL and Woolworths would greatly increase the impact the charity would be able to deliver for young Australians.
“This is huge for Ladder,” said Mr Bolton.
“In the past, we have relied heavily on sales from fans attending the Toyota AFL Finals Series matches to purchase the Pins, but now people across the country will be able to purchase their own piece of Grand Final memorabilia while supporting our work with young people at risk or who have experienced homelessness.”
Woolworths Head of Sponsorship and Events, Karen Madden, said the supermarket chain was pleased to provide a new sales outlet to support a worthwhile cause.
“Woolworths is delighted that through our partnership with the AFL we can help tackle youth homelessness by offering the Pins for sale to the 18 million customers that come through our doors every week,” Ms Madden said.
“I encourage our customers to show their support as all proceeds will go back to Ladder and help young people genuinely in need.”
AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said he hoped the football community embraced the AFL’s partnership with Ladder during this year’s Toyota AFL Finals Series.
“Being a charity so intrinsically linked to the AFL, and the official charity of the 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series, I urge the industry, its players and all of our supporters to buy the Pin and support the great work Ladder is doing within the community,” Mr McLachlan said.
2015 AFL Premiership Cup Pin Ambassador and Hawthorn player, Matt Spangher, said he is calling on all football supporters to help make a difference to the lives of young people.
“I’m extremely proud that the AFL industry has come together to support Ladder,” Mr Spangher said.
“Each night around Australia, there are over 25,000 young people with few options and no place to call home. You might not always be able to tell who they are, but now you can tell who is supporting them. By wearing your Premiership Cup Pin, you are getting behind Ladder and the AFL players. Together we can tackle youth homelessness.”
Your support can make a difference. Buy your Replica 2015 AFL Premiership Cup Pin today and get behind the team tackling youth homelessness.
Pins are available for $5 at Woolworths stores, all 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series matches and online from www.ladder.org.au from Monday September 7.
The 2015 AFL Toyota Finals Series commences on Friday September 11 and culminates with the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final at the MCG on Saturday October 3.
About Ladder
Ladder is an independent non-profit organisation established in 2007 to tackle youth homelessness in Australia. Founded by three AFL players, Ladder aims to empower young people aged 16 to 25 to break the cycle of homelessness by harnessing the support of the AFL industry’s profile, networks and players.
Ladder began their first program in Melbourne in 2009 and currently has projects in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, with a vision to operate in every region in Australia that hosts an AFL team by 2020.
AFL players past and present are involved within Ladder as staff, youth mentors, advocates and volunteers to deliver fitness sessions and support Ladder’s various programs.
Each AFL Player donates $25 from their match payment every time they step out for a senior game and this is matched by the AFL. Since 2008, AFL Players have collectively donated over $1million to Ladder.
Ladder is the Official Charity of the 2015 Toyota AFL Finals Series and the Official Charity of the AFL Players themselves.
