Football Federation Australia (FFA) has announced a partnership with the Australian Red Cross to support those who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic across Australia.
FFA will use its platforms to connect its network and profile to assist the Red Cross in their efforts to respond to the effect the outbreak has had on community wellbeing.
FFA CEO James Johnson said: “We are very glad to be working with Australian Red Cross on this important initiative.
“We will work together connecting people online to share essential tools and tips to give all Australians practical ways to support each other, maintain their wellbeing, and stay safely connected.
“We will ask younger people across our network to promote the importance of practicing social distancing, washing hands and staying at home to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
“Finally, we may, as this situation evolves, be called upon to help Red Cross with critical volunteering gaps in essential services and to scale their response to COVID-19 as necessary. We look forward to contributing to this important work.
“The strength of our game lies in our community and our job will be to provide our participants with a link to the Australian Red Cross to contribute online and in other digital ways to support vulnerable Australians under the guidance of an expert partner in this field. We are delighted that football, in a whole of game effort, can commit this platform to Australian Red Cross and support them in their campaign to help Australians in need.”
“We are fortunate to have some of Australian football’s most respected people supporting this initiative, and we would like to thank Tara Rushton, Lucy Zelic, Mel McLaughlin, Mark Bosnich, Jade North, and Craig Foster for their contributions to date. The initiative also has the support of our State and Territory Member Federations, and I would especially like to acknowledge Football NSW Chairman Anter Isaac and Football Victoria CEO Peter Filopoulos for their contributions,” he said.
Working with the Australian Federal and State Governments, the Australian Red Cross are helping the mental health of those most susceptible to the pandemic.
Australian Red Cross Director of Volunteering Penny Harrison said: “As we all work to flatten the curve, as a community we must look out for each other, and especially those who are most isolated and vulnerable during this unprecedented time.
“Working with FFA means we can tap into the power of football and work with its amazing and diverse community of members and fans to support more Australians who are facing this crisis alone. This is the power of humanity in action.”
