The Underdogs, the team created by The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick to give kids who’ve been excluded from sport a once-in-a-lifetime moment, took to the MCG yesterday cheered on by thousands of fans and supported by the Carlton Football Club.
22 young footy fans who’ve faced bullying, illness or personal hardship took to the ground before the Carlton v North Melbourne game. They were led out by Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola, and Nick Cody with a pre-game pep talk from Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown, and Andy Lee returning as the official waterboy.
This is the second AFL edition of The Underdogs after it was launched last year. They also had a tour of The Fox Footy commentary box with announcer, Mark ‘Howie’ Howard.
Mark ‘Howie’ Howard and the Underdogs in the Fox Footy commentary box – image supplied
Earlier this month the third Underdogs edition was launched after Fifi Box was moved to tears on-air by a mother’s story of her 11-year-old son Jordan from Curlewis, who had been bullied out of school and sport.
Fifi 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.”
Prior to the game, 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.”
On Monday The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick take you behind-the-scenes of all the incredible moments from the day, from the jubilation of the kids to the tears of the parents as they watch them live out their dreams.
* Images supplied