*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*
The Frankston Football Club and Coburg Football Club are playing a practice match under lights this Friday April 2nd, as a warm-up for the inaugural Ritchies IGA Challenge Cup.
This evening we announced an exciting new partnership between the two clubs and Ritchies IGA, which CEO Fred Harrison says they’re very proud to be a part of. ‘The community cup celebrates Ritchies stores roots in Frankston, stretching back to 1870, and our newest store in Pentridge, Coburg that opened in late 2020. The three organisations, which have a long and proud history, represent close ties with our respective local communities and as such the launch of the community cup. Ritchies has been supporting local communities for 150 years. We support many local clubs, schools, and charities with our community benefit Program. Our Founder Thomas Ritchies was also one of the founders of the Frankston Football Club back in 1887.
Frankston FC CEO Adrian Lloyd says of the partnership ‘We are delighted to partner with Ritchies IGA stores and play against the Coburg Football Club for the Ritchies IGA Community Cup for a minimum of two seasons 2021 and 2022 and we would all hope to build on this partnership for many years ahead. Ritchies shares in our values as a community organisation giving back to communities. Ritchies was established in 1870, Coburg Football Club in 1891, and Frankston Football Club in 1887, so all three have a proud history and serve their communities.’
Coburg CEO Sebastian Spagnuolo added ‘the newly developed Pentridge site is a fantastic addition to our suburb in Coburg and we already know that the local community is loving having their very own Ritchies IGA store within the development. For the Coburg Football Club, this partnership strengthens our ties to a partner that values its community like no other grocery store chain, we are absolutely delighted with this partnership which we hope is a long-lasting one with many mutual benefits for both our club and the Ritchies Pentridge store.’
‘Ritchies are very proud to bring the Community Benefit Program to Coburg’ Fred Harrison said, ‘we are already supporting local clubs, schools, and charities in the Coburg area. Anyone who wishes to support the Frankston or Coburg Football clubs or any other local club, school, or charity can do so by downloading the Ritchies Card App, and select a group to support.’
The first battle for the cup is in Round 1 on Friday April 16th at SkyBus Stadium. Tickets can be purchased here https://vflround1-frankstonvcoburg.intix.com/.
Anyone wishing to attend this Friday’s practice match between Frankston and Coburg needs to register via the link below. Entry is free but tickets are required to enter SkyBus Stadium. The game starts at 6pm with gates open from 4.30pm.
Photos courtesy of Frankston Football Club & Coburg Media Team