Halls Head Football and Netball Club help tackle childhood hunger

Halls Head Football and Netball Club are spreading awareness of childhood hunger and poverty in the Peel region by featuring a local charity's logo on their jerseys.

Thanks to funding received through a recent grant, the club was able to purchase new jerseys for their Year 3/4 Girls team this season.

With the uniforms already funded, the club was presented with the opportunity of using the jersey space to support a local cause making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children. 

Local charity Backpack Buddies now has their logo on the jerseys to help raise awareness about childhood poverty and food insecurity across the Peel region. 

The idea came from the Clubs Committee to support Bridge Builders’ Backpack Buddies program, an initiative providing backpacks of food to children experiencing hunger each weekend.

The Backpack Buddies logo on the jersey. PIC: Supplied

Halls Head Football and Netball Clubs Junior President Mark Neeson said the club wanted to use the opportunity to stand behind something meaningful. 

“When the opportunity came up to feature a logo on the jerseys, we wanted it to stand for something meaningful and give back to the community that supports our club,” Mr Neeson said. 

“Backpack Buddies is doing incredible work supporting local children and families, and we are proud our girls can help raise awareness every time they step onto the field. 

“If more sporting clubs across Australia used their visibility to support local causes, imagine the impact we could have in our communities.” 

The support from the club extended beyond the jerseys, with the club’s older girls teams also choosing to donate $500 to Backpack Buddies following a recent Girls’ Pre-Season Football Tournament hosted by the club. 

The funds will help provide backpacks of food to local children experiencing food insecurity this term. 

Halls Head Football and Netball Club girls with their $500 cheque to Backpack Buddies. PIC: Supplied

Bridge Builders CEO Kelly Hinder said the partnership demonstrates the extraordinary impact local sporting clubs and volunteers can have when they come together to support families in need. 

“During National Volunteer Week, this partnership is a powerful reminder that community organisations, sporting clubs, volunteers, and local families all play an important role in supporting one another,” Ms Hinder said. 

“Our volunteers pack food every week for children who may otherwise go without over the weekend. To have young girls proudly wearing the Backpack Buddies logo on the sporting field and advocating for children experiencing hunger is incredibly moving. 

“This is what real community leadership looks like.” 

The club plans to continue supporting Backpack Buddies throughout the season, including plans for a community food drive later this year. 

Bridge Builders is now encouraging other sporting clubs, businesses, and organisations, locally, statewide, and nationally, to consider how they can use their platforms to support grassroots charities and raise awareness for important social issues impacting their communities. 

To support Backpack Buddies, host a food drive, volunteer, donate, or partner with Bridge Builders, visit www.bridgebuilders.org.au.