The Adelaide Football Club and CRT (Combined Rural Traders) have joined forces to once again deliver the successful CRT Country Crows program this year.
Led by player ambassadors Sam Jacobs and Brad Crouch, hundreds of children from across regional South Australia have taken part in the program across three key initiatives.
The program, which is in its seventh year, kicked off in April with a special day at the Showdown for a group of regional families.
As well as being given front row seats for the clash, the children had the opportunity to be part of the guard of honour as Crows players ran out onto the ground – a very special experience considering many of the children had never seen Adelaide Oval before.
The 2016 program also featured two coaching clinics – one in Paskeville in May and the other in Strathalbyn in July, with each attended by more than 150 children.
The clinics were led by Jacobs and Crouch together with Kyle Hartigan, Tom Doedee, Riley Knight, Mitch McGovern, Harrison Wigg and Keenan Ramsey.
Crouch, who is originally from Ballarat and Beaufort, said the program is a great way for the Club to get to rural areas.
“It’s easy for guys like ‘Sauce’ and myself to be part of the program because we’re country boys ourselves. We enjoy getting involved and don’t mind doing the drive out there!” he said.
“Growing up, we found it hard at times to go and watch AFL games in Melbourne because of the distance. Country people love their footy, and I love the feel around country footy as well. It’s a really good atmosphere and the people create that.
“Sauce is a big name over on the Yorke Peninsula. He knew a lot of people at the (Paskeville) clinic being from Ardrossan. He enjoys getting out there and giving back to the footy clubs he was involved with when he was younger.
“We have a kick with the kids and sign some autographs and give away CRT caps, posters and footballs.
“We also give the local footy club a signed guernsey for their club rooms.”
CRT Spokesman Peter Cook said the organisation was proud to continue its partnership with the Adelaide Football Club and take football to regional areas.
"Both CRT and the Adelaide Crows get terrific support from Country SA so we are both really pleased to be able to get local communities involved in the program,” he said.
The Adelaide Football Club would like to thank CRT for its ongoing support.
Click here to find out more about the Club’s work in the community
