What a way to celebrate my one year anniversary of living in Canberra with a good old fashioned match of Aussie Rules – the game I grew up watching.
The 2025 Reclink Community Cup at Alan Ray Oval, Ainslie on Sunday 14 September, saw 300 people attend despite the Canberra Raiders taking on the Brisbane Broncos in a sold-out match at GIO Stadium on the same day.
The annual family-friendly, dog-friendly Cup showdown pits the Limestones (musicians) against the Noise (media) in an important fundraiser for Reclink ACT.
The Limestones won by five points but that isn’t what the day was all about; it was the community spirit, which came in leaps and bounds.
From the 300 people through the gates to support the players, to the thousands of dollars raised for Reclink, and, of course, the players supporting each other.
This was the biggest takeaway I took from the Cup. Despite being pitted against each other on match day, both teams train and socialise together.
From the very first training session to the last, everyone supported one another, no matter what team they were on.
When I went to my first training session back in July, I had never picked up an AFL ball. It was raining, very muddy and stormy with lightning.
And I somehow didn’t slip using just normal runners.
Each week at training, I felt I was learning more and more. And taking part in a game against Parliamentarians in a friendly AFL9’s match at Parliament House Sports Ground earlier this month boosted my confidence in my ability to play.
On the official Cup day this past Sunday, I exceeded my own expectations in my contributions to my team. Getting a few touches, defending so my opponent couldn’t get the ball, a kick and I even stunned myself when I made a mark – which happened to be off my teammate and CD editor, Vincent Samaras.
Player, coach and organising committee member Luke O’Loughlin thanked all the volunteers involved in making the day happen.
“From the players to all the bands, the crews working the barbecue and all the other things others did to put on this community music and footy event,” he told CD.
Noise co-captain Mick Weaver said this year’s Cup was one of the best yet and embodied the true spirit of grassroots community sport.
“Everyone who pulled on a Noise jumper should be so proud of how they played the game,” Mick told CD.
“It was the perfect mix of competition and good fun.
“A huge thanks to the organisers, volunteers, players, umpires and everyone involved. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.”
Mick’s co-captain, Maddi Green, said after being introduced to Reclink in 2024, it was a “no-brainer” to return for the 2025 season – she’s even joined a Canberra league AFL team off the back of it!
“I wanted to thank everyone, not just the players, but everyone, for getting behind and training for months prior to that match. Game day was so special,” she said.
“We knew everyone by the end of it, whether you were on the media team or the Limestones, we’ve all become friends regardless of what backgrounds we come from. And we all came together on the field.”
She said the teams really felt the support of the wider community.
“And getting people that have never played footy before to enjoy the sport and to enjoy Australia’s own sport,” Maddi said.
“Regardless of the results, we all won because we were all supporting a charity.”
Reclink Australia marketing manager Katrina Desfosses said an estimated 300 people attended the match – the highest crowd at the Canberra event since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been a great result with the organising committee driving the community engagement to build it up bigger and better than ever,” she told CD.
To donate to Reclink, head to reclink.org
See below some happy snaps from the Parliamentary AFL9’s match and the Canberra Reclink Community Cup. Photos by Wilson Au Yeung and Jordan Mirchevski:
Canberra Daily would love to hear from you about a story idea in Canberra and the surrounding region. Click here to submit a news tip.
Feeling social? Follow Canberra Daily: Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Tik Tok | YouTube