The Nelson Bay Marlins have joined Toyota's Good for Footy raffle to raise essential funds for the senior AFL club.
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A second COVID-affected season has meant fund-raising efforts by the club have also been impacted, which committee member Sammy Richards said could potentially "jeopardise our future playing teams".
"Game fees and money we would raise through the canteen on game days goes back into the club so we can function," said Richards, who is also vice captain of the Power Marlins women's AFL team.
"COVID has thrown a spanner in the works.
"With no game fees and no canteen, we're not making the profits we usually would to buy the things we need for our teams."
In a bid to raise $5000 for new equipment and a digital scoreboard, the Marlins have joined Toyota's national online raffle.
Ticket buyers go in the draw to win one of 12 prizes.
The top three prizes are new Toyota vehicles.
Meanwhile, clubs receive all funds raised through ticket sales made through their individual fund-raising page.
As of Tuesday, when the Examiner went to print, the Marlins had raised more than $2100 for the club through raffle ticket sales.
The raffle will be drawn at 12pm on Friday, September 10.
Richards said the electronic scoreboard was a priority for the club.
The current scoreboard requires a volunteer to man it and change the score manually as games progress.
The Marlins are still awaiting word from AFL Hunter and Central Coast about the fate of the end of the 2021 season.
While the Central Coast competition was officially cancelled last week, on Tuesday a decision had yet to be made about the Hunter competition.
A decision had also yet to be made for the junior AFL season.
The senior men and women's Marlins teams are both sitting last on their respective ladders.
In their second season together, the Power Marlins, a combination of Nelson Bay and the Medowie-based Port Stephens Power AFL club's female players, gained their first win.
The collaboration between the two clubs has been described as "nothing short of successful in keeping the game moving forward".
"Every weekend we can get on the field is a win for us," Richards said.
"It's not about winning or losing for us.
"It's about playing the game we love."
Richards said the one positive out of a COVID-impacted season was that injured players had time to recover without feeling like they were "missing out".
To support the Marlins buy a raffle ticket at: toyotagoodforfooty.raffletix.com.au/nelsonbayseniors.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
