May 2008 - Epilepsy Australia

Tuggeranong United FCkicks a goal for epilepsyFor the past 3 years, the Tuggeranong United Football Club(TUFC) have joined forces with Epilepsy ACT to holdtwo annual events, the ‘Adam Fry Memorial Shield’ and the‘Dawn to Dusk 12 Hour Non Stop Football Match’.Both days operate around two themes, one is thecelebration and enjoyment as a player and spectator in oneof the world’s greatest games –football. The other, and thisis even more important, is that the days are dedicated toraising awareness and funds for epilepsy. Through sausagesizzles, raffles, player and spectator donations, the events havemanaged to raise over $3000 towards local charity EpilepsyACT.In 2006, Tuggeranong United Football Club decided it wouldalso like the challenge of putting together a non-stop footballmatch for 12 hours straight and for the past two years havebeen succesful at it. The day has also been dedicated to raisingmuch needed monies for Epilepsy ACT through participantdonations. Participants in the day include males and females,young and old, professional and amateur players. The gameis split between two teams, the Kambah United “Greens” andthe Wanniassa “Golds”, and involves a series of 20-minute“roll-on, roll-off” matches. At the end of the day the scores forboth sides are added up, with the first year ending in an 83 alldraw while in 2007 the “Greens” defeated the “Golds” 109 to104. The event is held every November in conjunction with theTuggeranong Community Festival.Executive Director of Epilepsy ACT, Jacinta Cummins said‘Research shows that people with epilepsy are often excludedfrom team sports. By working together and raising awarenessof epilepsy within the sporting community we hope that willsoon be a thing of the past in the ACT.’Team Manager, Matthew ‘Macca’ McDonald added‘Tuggeranong United Football Club has supported EpilepsyACT for a number of years and as a player it is rewarding tohelp a worthwhile cause through our footballing community.I look forward to our further support through the world game!’The ‘Adam Fry Memorial Shield’ is held in memory of clubplayer, Adam Fry, who tragically lost his life at a young age in2004. This event was held for the 4th year in April and broughttogether teams from numerous clubs throughout Canberra,including Canberra Olympic, Belwest, ANU, Gungahlin, andTuggeranong who are all keen to support and play for such aworthy cause.‘It’s a great way to remember our friend who loved the gameof football and its also a day to allow everyone in the club andthe community to show its support for Epilepsy ACT,’ said‘Macca’ McDonald.Tuggeranong United Football Club Patron and FederalMember for Canberra, Annette Ellis MP on attending thisyear’s event said ‘It was a great afternoon and most enjoyablefor me, I was particularly pleased to see Adam’s parents wereable to attend. This event is a terrific concept that honoursthe memory of Adam and maintains the connection betweenAdam’s family and Epilepsy ACT. My congratulations to theTuggeranong United Soccer Club and to the other teams whocompeted. The funds raised will be welcome by EpilepsyACT who provide wonderful support to the community.’Tuggeranong United Football Club hopes to be able tocontinue these two events well into the future, with theexpectation that they will continue to get bigger and better.18 THE EPILEPSY REPORT MAY 2008