Tomorrow at the MCG, The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick and the Carlton Footy Club will give 22 deserving kids – members of The Underdogs team – the experience of a lifetime.
The Underdogs will run out before the Carlton v North Melbourne AFL match, with the occasion brought to life on-air across 101.9 The Fox and Kayo’s match-day coverage.
Now in its second year, The Underdogs celebrates a team of kids who have faced exclusion, bullying, illness or hardship, giving them the opportunity to play as part of a team and feel like footy stars for a day.
Further pumping up the local element is the tagline ‘We give a Fox about Melbourne.’
The Underdogs will be enjoying the VIP treatment: a locker room kitted out with a new team guernsey, footy boots and a gift pack.
They’ll also be getting a motivational pre-game address from Fox Footy’s Jonathan ‘Browny’ Brown and an exclusive visit to the Fox Footy commentary box.
The team will be welcomed with a special message on the official Carlton banner, before being led by Brendan Fevola, Fifi Box and Nick Cody and joined by returning waterboy Andy Lee onto the ground.
Then, the magical moment as The Underdogs run onto the hallowed turf to kick the footy in front of a buzzing MCG crowd.
Over the past fortnight, The Underdogs has brought listeners to tears with emotional stories aired on Fifi, Fev & Nick, including the that of 11-year-old Jordan who was picked for the team after a harrowing bullying incident left him too scared to return to school.
Fifi Box said: “Jordan is exactly why we created The Underdogs – for kids who feel excluded to know that they are valued, celebrated, and part of something special. There’s nothing like the magic of the MCG, and we want every child to know they deserve to feel like a star.”
Carlton Football Club captain Patrick Cripps said: “The Underdogs initiative is so great. The rush of adrenaline and the smile on your face you get when you run out onto the MCG is really special, so we are so excited to be able to give these kids the chance to experience what we get to on a game day.”
“This is the stuff I love to do as an AFL player, to give back to the community. These kids will get a moment they won’t forget and will be with them the rest of their lives, and hopefully it builds a lot of confidence and self-esteem. I am sure every Blues fan there will make them feel more than welcome.”
The Underdogs will take the field before the 1:20pm bounce at the MCG tomorrow, Saturday, 21 June.
Fans wanting to support The Underdogs live at the MCG can use the code ‘Underdogs’ via ticketek.com.au to receive 30% off tickets for the match.