The South African province of KwaZulu Natal received a special gift from the West Coast Eagles today, with the football club sending approximately 200kg of footy merchandise across the Indian Ocean to AFL South Africa.
The anticipated delivery included items such as polo shirts, shorts, hats and even West Coast Eagles branded disposable cameras which will be distributed among the co-ordinators, volunteers and participants of the popular FootyWILD program run in the province by AFL South Africa.
This community-based program is exposing thousands of disadvantaged black South Africans to sport, health, education and employment. As a supporter of the program, West Coast is proud of the vital contribution made by these individuals and the gift of merchandise is a small token of the football club's gratitude.
The manager of AFL South Africa, Bubele Ngangalaza, is looking forward to sharing the package with his co-workers and FootyWILD participants.
"Thanks for this good news," Ngangalaza said. “You don’t know how much this means to us.
"My people will be motivated by these items and encouraged to become more involved in this new game."
The West Coast Eagles has worked with the KwaZulu Natal province and the Australian Football League for the past two years to launch the concept of FootyWILD in the area.
There are currently 17,300 children participating across South Africa and the West Coast Eagles greatly appreciates the efforts of the FootyWILD volunteers in embracing Australian football and ensuring its success in KwaZulu Natal.
The football club's long-term plans for the province include annual club training and development camps, AFL exhibition games, playing a vital role in the promotion of a talent pathway and talent identification, leading to possible international rookies one day playing in the AFL.
