Reclink Community Cup Adds Hobart & Brisbane Events For 2016

Following the addition of Adelaide and Perth events to last year's Reclink Community Cup — historically held in Melbourne, with Sydney more recently joining the annual festivities — organisers have revealed that this year's competition will hit the national stage, with charity matches set for the state capital cities of Hobart and Brisbane in addition to the three established events.

It's been 23 years since the Reclink Community Cup started its yearly practice of pitting musicians against members of the music media in a footy match raising funds for Reclink, which uses the power of sport and arts activities to benefit disadvantaged members of society.

Since its inaugural event, the Melbourne match has grown to attract more than 10,000 people, and raise more than $100,000, each year. Sydney will see its fifth event this year, while Adelaide will welcome its second.

"For Reclink, the Community Cup is a time when the media — particularly the community radio sector — and local musicians band together to help raise much-needed funds to enable us to deliver sport, recreation and arts programs that make a huge difference to the lives of the neediest in our community; programs that foster self-confidence, fight isolation, develop skills and establish connections and lasting friendships," Reclink chief executive John Ballis said in a a statement.

The impact of the Community Cup goes beyond mere rhetoric, however; participant Raeles, from Victoria, spoke of the benefits wrought by the event in a statement, saying of her experience with Reclink, "I didn't actually have any family around me when I was a young girl. I was a state ward child and all I wanted to do was to just get out there and enjoy life and have a bit of fun and feel like I belonged to something."

"For me, facing a ball, it's just heaven," Raeles said. "It's just like, I know I can hit you, come on, give me a faster ball! It's just a sense of pride that you've worked hard for your whole team. It's not about you; it's about your whole team. It's the only day I look forward to in the week, is to come down here and just be able to play cricket and be accepted."

This year's Community Cup matches — which boast the theme 'Smells Like Team Spirit', in honour of the 25th anniversary of Nirvana's seminal album Nevermind — will kick off in Hobart, on 5 June, for the first time, heading to Melbourne on 26 June, Adelaide on 7 August, Sydney on 14 August, Perth on 28 August and, finally, Brisbane, on 25 September.

Previous events have seen A-list Aussie artists such as Paul Kelly, Courtney Barnett, Tim Rogers, Tex Perkins and more participate as players, coaches and water-runners, while the likes of Adalita, Graveyard Train and Pearls have performed at past matches.

With last year's events raising more than $215,000 for Reclink Australia, this year's expanded national landscape is expected to bring in more than $250,000 for people in need. If you want to be a part of making that happen as a volunteer, head this way to sign up.

For more information about Reclink, see its website; same goes for the Community Cup itself.