Flinders University students Vivien Matthews and Josh De Heus will provide valuable support for South Adelaide Football Club event organisers during the club’s first free ‘Panthers Big Backyard’ at Hickinbotham Oval this evening.

The pair became involved with SAFC through Flinders University’s sponsorship of the club and will provide a helping hand as the Panthers welcome families from the wider southern community to a mega backyard of fun, sports and other activities.

Flinders University’s Sponsorships and Partnerships Manager Darlene Voss said the event, which includes a free sausage sizzle, was an exciting opportunity for the Flinders students to get hands on experience of a vibrant community event.

“Through our sponsorship of South Adelaide we are able to have a really positive impact on the community of South Adelaide while also providing these kinds of rare and valuable experiences for our students,” said Ms Voss.

“Vivien and Josh are smart and enthusiastic students who will have a lot to offer and we hope they gain some valuable real world insights into events and engagement while also establishing great relationships at SAFC this evening.”

Wayne Peters, South Adelaide Football Club CEO, said the club was excited to be able to host the local community for a fun afternoon in a safe and welcoming environment.

“We are excited about hosting the Panthers Big Backyard and opening up our club to the entire community for a range of fun, family friendly activities – all concentrating on health and wellbeing, lifestyle and fitness,” he said.

“Most of all, we want families and communities to be able to go somewhere safe and welcoming – making the South Adelaide Football Club a hub of the community to help inspire and achieve positive social engagement.”

Families/friends/work colleagues/social groups are welcome any time between 6pm and 8pm on selected Friday nights in December, January and February to join in on any of the activities that will be simultaneously running on Hickinbotham Oval.

Panthers Big Backyard events 2015-16

Activities may include:

Come and Try AFL 9s

Walking & Running Groups

Backyard Cricket

Health & Wellbeing workshops

Community Charity Events

Ultimate Frisbee

Bocce

Shoot hoops

Future dates:

Friday 29 January 2016

Friday 19 February 2016

All events include free entry and sausage sizzle, merchandise giveaways and player appearances.