What started as a text exchange between mates culminated in a huge success at Northern Inland’s inaugural Charity Football Day on Saturday.
Ken Chillingworth Oval hosted a Ladies All-Stars match featuring players from Northern Inland’s Women’s Division clubs before an Old Boys v Young Guns clash made up of players from Northern Inland Premier Division clubs. 
Players nominated themselves to take part in the matches with squads then chosen by team coaches. All clubs from Northern Inland’s Men’s Premier Division and Women’s Division competitions were represented.
Dean Hoy from Moore Creek FC approached Northern Inland during the season to see how a charity event to support headspace Tamworth could be brought to life.
From that conversation Hoy worked with Northern Inland to deliver the event with Hoy the driving force finding sponsors, a venue, players, coaches and volunteers.
Supporting headspace Tamworth was a perfect match after the last couple of seasons with drought, bushfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the Northern Inland community. Those events have brought on a number of difficulties and hardships for many, with organisations like headspace Tamworth supporting the community.
The event was originally scheduled for 9 October but had to be postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
More than $6,000 was raised for headspace Tamworth from sponsor, player and club donations, auctioned corporate boxes, a raffle and gold coin gate entry.
Northern Inland Regional Co-Ordinator Toby McVey said the day had been a huge success.
“It was perfect weather and a generous crowd which made for an awesome day of football,” McVey said.
“It was a great way to wrap up season 2021 which was cut short due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“A special thanks to Dean Hoy, the sponsors and everyone else who was involved in making the day happen.”
Hoy said he was delighted with how the event had been received.
“I’m absolutely wrapped it went to so well,” Hoy said.
“Everyone jumped on board for a great day. So I’m super pumped about it.”
Tamworth FC’s Kurt Barrow and Kootingal FC’s Milla Thompson won the men’s and women’s longest kick competition.
Sami Wilkie from North Companions FC and Moore Creek FC’s Dan McCormack won the women’s and men’s sprint races.
Thanks to sponsors:
Advanced Security Group, Alfabs Hire, Arc Mining, Ardina Electrical, BOQ Tamworth, Burke & Douglas Funerals, Dynamic Fire, D&C Projects, Harvey Norman Tamworth, LTP Roofing & Guttering, Mahers Smash Repairs, Many Fabrication & Engineering, McKnights Signs, Moore Creek FC, North West Shutters & Home Additions, Pickles Tamworth, Pirates Rugby Club, Psarakis Accounting, Robert Haskard Painting, Tamworth Shopping World Newsagency, Tamex Tamworth, Tamworth City Toyota, TLC Chiropractic, TLM Group, Football Australia, Northern NSW Football.
