Ocean Grove Cobras to Host 5th AFL Junior State of Origin
The vibrant coastal town of Ocean Grove is set to become the centre of excitement as it prepares to host the highly anticipated 5th AFL Junior State of Origin (SOOV) on Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July 2, 2023. This thrilling sporting carnival will bring together 250 talented young male and female AFL footballers, aged between 7 and 16, from the Ocean Grove Cobras (VIC) and the Glebe Greyhounds (NSW).
The AFL Junior State of Origin is a celebration of the next generation of football stars, showcasing their talent, determination and team spirit on the field. This year's event promises to be a weekend of thrilling matches and unforgettable moments, as players from both teams compete for glory and pride. And to top things off, a parent's game is being hosted on the Saturday at 2:10pm!
Beyond the thrilling football action, the AFL Junior State of Origin holds a deeper purpose raising vital funds for the esteemed charity, River's Gift. River's Gift is dedicated to supporting Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) genetic research and making a lasting impact in understanding and preventing this devastating fatal syndrome. All proceeds from the event will go towards funding world-leading genetic SIDS research at the renowned University of South Australia (UniSA). Between the two clubs, significant business sponsorship funding has already been raised, with a total event fundraising target of $30,000 being set for this year.
"The AFL Junior State of Origin is not just a football carnival; it is an opportunity to unite our community and make a meaningful difference in the lives of families affected by SIDS," said Aaron White (President - Ocean Grove Cobras). "By supporting River's Gift and their crucial research efforts, we are working towards a future where no parent has to experience the heartbreak of losing a child to SIDS."
This year's AFL Junior State of Origin promises to be a weekend of family-friendly fun and excitement. In addition to the thrilling matches, the event will feature various activities for spectators, including face painting, food stalls, merchandise stands and licensed drink sales. It is a perfect opportunity for football enthusiasts, families, and the local community to come together and support a worthy cause.
"We are grateful to the Cobras and the Ocean Grove community for hosting this event and showing their unwavering support for the AFL Junior State of Origin and River's Gift." expressed Karl Waddell (Co-founder, River's Gift). "Their commitment and generosity will help us further our research and move closer to our vision of a world free from SIDS.
The 5th AFL Junior State of Origin will take place at Minerva Close in Ocean Grove on Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July 2, 2023. Admission to the event is free, with donations\ encouraged to support River's Gift.
For more information about the AFL Junior State of Origin and River's Gift, please visit www.riversgift.org and follow the event on Facebook - www.facebook.com/OGCobrasJFC
Media Contacts:
Aaron White
President. Ocean Grove Cobras
0402 464 082
Karl Waddell
Co-founder, River's Gift
0488 111 182
About River's Gift
River's Gift was founded by Karl Waddell and Alex Hamilton, two devastated yet focused and determined parents, following the death of their baby boy, River, to SIDS at only 128 days of age in 2011. River's Gift are Australia's largest SIDS specific organisation, fundraising and advocating to help find a preventative cure for SIDS. They have a strong partnership with University of South Australia, in the establishment and continued development of a SIDS biobank, for the purpose of conducting genetic SIDS research.
About the AFL Junior State of Origin
The idea for the State of Origin match came about seven years ago when two old schoolmates from Geelong, Cain Sarah (Glebe) and Harvey Stephenson (Ocean Grove), were sharing Christmas together.
After a few drinks, they started talking about how good it would be if their boys - who are the same age - could play a game against each other... so what about a footy trip?
A Geelong-based friend of the pair, Karl Waddell, had co-founded the charity River's Gift five years earlier following the death of his son, River, to SIDS, and supporting such a worthy charity through kids' footy just made sense.
With the tradition first being hosted in Ocean Grove in the winter of 2017, this year marks the 5th running of the annual event (Covid affected 2020/21), with the hosting venue alternating between Ocean Grove and Glebe each year. Collectively, over $40,000 has been raised for River's Gift since the carnival's inception.