Rd 19 Adelaide - Woodsmen Family Day
The Woodsmen Match Day Function Report
Family Day
Round 19 - Collingwood v Adelaide
Erin Mason
The sun was shining down on the MCG on Sunday when Collingwood took on the Adelaide Crows. The sunny weather was perfectly timed for the annual Woodsmen Family Day.
The Woodsmen invited their family and friends to join them to experience a fun filled day consisting of food, entertainment, special guests and of course, Collingwood.
The day began with stand up canapés upon arrival where the Woodsmen and their guests admired the impressive lolly buffet. The lolly buffet was made up of household favourite lollies and chocolates and was arguably the biggest hit of the day (not just with the kids!).
After being welcomed by Chairman Kim Long the mains were then served, and host Darren James conducted an interview with Angie Greene who is the founder and CEO of a charity called Stand Up Events.
Stand Up Events fights homophobia and sexual and gender discrimination in sport. Part of their work includes speaking to football clubs, running workshops and even partnering with Monash University to create preventive programs.
Angie comes from a long line of athletes which includes her Grandfather, Frank Sedgman, a tennis champion, father Russell Green, a Hawthorn Football Club Hall of Fame member, and her brother Steven Greene who also played for the Hawthorn Football Club. Her motivation to start this charity two years ago was due to her own personal family journey. She hopes that there will come a day when anyone can feel welcome in sport and life.
Ambassadors of Stand Up Events include many familiar Collingwood names such as Tyson Goldsack, Meg Hutchins and Ash Brazill.
Up next was Melbourne Magician Tricky Nick. Tricky Nick’s magic tricks required some assistance from audience members so he enlisted the help of some of the kids. The magic happened right under their noses! He left both adults and kids in awe and was highly entertaining.
At half time after some terrific football from Collingwood, The Woodsmen were greeted back in The Yarra Park Room by the smell of freshly baked waffle cones which were served with an assortment of gelato and ice cream.
Special guest Darren Jolly was interviewed where he discussed life since retiring from football and his new found passion of renovating houses with wife, Deanne.
This was followed by our last special guest of the day, former cricketer and Australian fast bowler, Rodney Hogg. Rodney reminisced about his experience of playing out in the middle of the MCG and how it is strange to think that he was ever out there “amongst the seagulls”.
The final formalities of the day consisted of an auction where The Woodsmen and their guests had the opportunity to bid on a guard of honour experience or an inner sanctum experience.
Although the games conclusion was not the result anyone was after, it can be agreed that The Woodsmen Family Day was a big success.
