Sponsor score

By Justin Robertson
THE successful program to attract Sudanese youngsters to soccer has become a drawcard for a major sponsor.
Kraft Foods has been impressed with Cardinia United Soccer Club’s ‘worthy cause’ and has given the club a $2500 grant.
The club has produced an eight-minute promotional documentary showing how the club’s program is helping the Sudanese community assimilate into Australia.
A fortnight ago the documentary was shown to 800 Kraft employees at Crown to show them the work that is being done and to encourage more funding.
Kraft Foods marketing and service manager Andy Humble said his company was impressed with what the club was doing.
“We’ve adopted the club because of their ongoing charity work with the Sudanese community,” he said.
The club’s scheme is part of Cardinia council’s Sudanese Project.
Cardinia United president Mark Dunn said the project helps integrate Sudanese immigrants into the community through soccer and the club has just signed its 24th Sudanese junior soccer player.
“We aim to sign 35 players on our list. To put that into context, there are approximately 200 African residents living in our community that represents about 10 per cent,” he said.
“That’s something to be proud of.”
And the club’s top Sudanese players will be showing off their skills at the club’s Call to Arms cancer charity fundraiser on 31 July.
The event didn’t run last year and Mr Dunn said this year’s event will be one to savour – on a sentimental level.
More than 12 months ago, former club president Rob Hastings was struck down with prostate cancer and had to step down from his duties at the Cardinia Road complex.
Mr Dunn took over, but had his own personal demons to battle. His father, Roy, also had prostate cancer.
Both situations took its toll and impacted the junior club, earlier this season, and as difficult as that period was for the club, it now seems to be flourishing. “There were a lot of things happening off the field last year,” Mr Dunn said.
Mr Dunn said the club will be looking to raise thousands of dollars on the day that will feature a contest between 60 parents in the Dad versus Dad match, that will be played in between the Cardinia United under-14s and under-16s scheduled games.
“We’ll also be raffling off a 10-kilogram chocolate block on the day, too,” he said.
“We’ll be looking to rally and raise as much as we can for a cause that’s close to our heart.
“We’re all looking forward to this one – it’ll be extra special.”