After the announcement of Douglas Athletic’s (DAFC) partnership with Right To Play and PokerStars last season, the club is delighted to have raised ?3,000 for this worthwhile charity during the 2016/17 football season. Right To Play in association with Pokerstars sponsor the Douglas club, who in return raise the profile of the charity on the Island.
PokerStars has also confirmed that they will be continuing the partnership for the 2017/18 season
The charity
Founded in 2000 by Olympic Gold medallist, Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is a global charity that uses sport and play to improve the lives of vulnerable children in some of the world’s poorest communities. Each child deserves the chance to succeed and thrive in life but every day millions of children are challenged by poverty, war, disease and poor education . These challenges put their futures at risk and rob them of their potential. Right To Play gives them back that chance. Using sport and games we make education accessible and fun, teaching children critical life skills, how to resolve conflicts without violence and how to avoid disease.
Right To Play train local volunteers and teachers as Right To Play ‘coaches’ to deliver critical education programmes in their communities. This way over 14,900 coaches can reach over one million children every week in 16 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The aim is to help every child in need to reach their full potential, and to build a future shaped by opportunity, and not just challenge.
To find out more: www.righttoplay.org.uk.
The fundraising
To start the fundraising efforts, the club organised a 7 a side football event at the Bowl that featured 10 invited clubs from around the Isle of Man raising ?600 in the process. This was coupled with members of the club participating in the ToughMann competition in August raising a further ?100 and the club’s Annual Quiz night at the Old Friend’s Club adding a further ?150 to the fund. This resulted in ?850 raised from small events during the season.
The main event for the charity organised by the club was in April, a Charity Poker Night at Douglas Rugby Club. This event was supported by PokerStars, the local Poker League as well as clubs across the island. With over 50 people in attendance on the night, it was a roaring success raising over ?2,150 for the charity. The overall winner was a PokerStars member of staff, Hannah Brockhouse, winning a ?250 Amazon voucher.
Mark Lilleyman, DAFC Chairman said:
“It has been a great achievement by all members of the club to raise ?3,000 for this worthwhile charity in our first year of this unique partnership. The partnership with Right To Play and PokerStars has provided awareness of the charity to all areas of Manx Football as well as the Island itself and the members of the club are proud to wear the logo on their shirts every week. We really look forward to continuing to grow our relationship going forward and raising more vital funds for this charity”.
Sue Hammett, Head of Corporate Giving at PokerStars added:
"We have been delighted with this partnership over the last 12 months, Right To Play is our official global charity partner and through this association the awareness of their work has been increased on the Island. Our sincere thanks go out to all the players and supporters of DAFC who have worked so hard to raise money throughout the season and we looked forward to continuing our relationship in 2017/18.’’
Neil Child-Dyer, Partnerships Manager at Right To Play said:
“I would like to say a huge thank you to Douglas Athletic and PokerStars for choosing Right To Play as their charity partner in this exciting initiative. Especially to the players of Douglas Athletic who have done such a fantastic job with their fundraising efforts this season. The money that they have raised is helping us to improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Many of us will take playing sport for granted but sadly not all children have the same opportunities. A game of football can teach children about tolerance, peace and teamwork, a game of tag can teach about malaria. Play helps teach important life lessons and develop skills like cooperation, leadership and teamwork. Play provides a retreat from everyday hardships and brings joy and laughter, allowing kids to be kids.”
Fundraising for this year’s target has already started.
