All roads will lead to Narrandera Sportsground for the “boys in blue” on November 9 for a huge day of touch football. A major police fundraising event, the 2022 Golden Boot Touch Football Carnival will feature 28 teams competing, with games scheduled to start at 8.30am.
Organiser, police officer Marc Lawrence, is pleased with the turnout of teams after Covid cancellations had a detrimental impact on the “reduced event” last year.
“Even more pleasing is the amount of metropolitan teams making their way down the Hume Highway,” he said.
“This year we will host 15 teams from Sydney. We are excited and cannot wait for this year.”
Lawrence said funds raised during the event, which he said would be a “massive day”, would be donated to a local charity.
“As has been the case in previous years, the Golden Boot will once again be a fundraising event with the money raised being donated to the local branch of Can Assist,” he said.
“The organisers deemed this a fitting cause as a number of local Police officers have, in the previous 12 months, faced their own cancer battles.
“In addition to this, some of the money raised will be donated to assist the family of Senior Constable Matthew Owen, a police officer from Wagga who recently tragically lost his partner Megan, leaving behind their three young children.
“We are hoping to raise as much money as possible to assist Matt and the boys following this sudden and tragic event.
“Funds raised will be used to help ease the financial burden on the family during this difficult time and provide ongoing support for their future.”
Donations are still being accepted at (https://portal.policelegacynsw.org.au/campaign/40/the-owen-family-appeal)
Lawrence said there would be a raffle taking place throughout the day and an auction would offer some great sporting memorabilia items after the games are completed.
“Some great items have been donated to us, including Mark Gasnier’s match-worn and signed 2005 Australian Tri Nations Test jersey, a signed West Tigers jersey, 2022 signed Cronulla Sharks jersey, a signed Sydney FC jersey and a 2013/14 Ashes shirt signed by Chris Rogers, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Johnson, who was named player of the series after taking 37 wickets,” he said.
Auction bids will also be accepted on the Golden Boot Facebook page.
The carnival will climax with a function at the sportsground’s clubrooms and feature a live band and refreshments supplied by the local football club.
“We are also looking forward to providing a small economic boost to the region and Narrandera township,” Lawrence said.
“Narrandera Council have once again been great in welcoming us and providing access to what is arguably the best footy ground in regional New South Wales.”
Ramon Gilarte, team organiser of the 2021 champions South East Silverbacks, said the team was excited to descend on Narrandera in a bid to defend its title.
“We are excited for this year’s event more than any other,” he said.
“With Covid impacting the previous two years, we can finally get back on track on the field and play a game we love all for an amazing cause.
“With an amazing turnout of 28 teams, we can’t wait to get down there and get our hands on the prized Golden Boot again.”
Participating teams include: Wagga Wookies x 2, Albury Astros, Riverina Outcasts, Central West Thunder, Chifley Phantoms, South East Silverbacks, Bondi Beavers x 2, PolAir Eagles, PORS Dogs, St George Dragons x 2, Maroubra Beach Bunnies x 2, Liverpool Lightning, Liverpool Kings, Birrong Battlers, Bankstown Brawlers, Southern Steelers, Southern Squirrels, Hay Hornets, Manly Mad Dogs, Parramatta Bin Chickens, VICPOL Mexicans, Narrandera/Leeton, FRNSW Narrandera and the Dalgetty Deadies – a team of local Narrandera youth.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 27 October 2022.
