FOOTBALLERS and netballers throughout the district will pay their respects to servicemen and women who have died whilst serving their country with commemorations this weekend.
All Central Murray Football Netball League games will feature an ANZAC Day service prior to the start of senior football action tomorrow, whilst Ultima and Nullawill will meet on Sunday in a special game for the Golden Rivers Football League.
In what has become an annual tradition for CMFNL clubs, commemorations will begin at 2.15pm, with all players to wear black armbands on the day.
Umpires in all games will present the best player in each A Grade netball and senior football with a special memento recognising the occasion, with trophies to be presented to each winning senior side at Barham, Cohuna, Kerang, Lalbert and Tyntynder.
Similar presentations will also occur at Ultima on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Kerang’s senior footballers will wear a one-off guernsey for the occasion as part of a Returned and Services League initiative.
Players will be able to purchase their guernsey after the match or choose to auction it off, with half of the proceeds to go to the RSL.
“Wearing the ANZAC Appeal mark was once a privilege reserved for elite players but now footballers across Victoria will don the iconic mark in honour of our servicemen and women,” RSL Victoria president, Rob Webster said.
“It is a great chance for communities across the state to get behind a cause that is close to the hearts of many Australians.”
Ex-servicemen and women will receive free entry to the game at Riverside Park, with a free roast lunch to occur from 1pm in the clubrooms.
“We are very proud to be taking part,” Blues president, Rob Fisher said.
“This joint initiative is a good model that will help raise awareness of ANZAC Day.”
