Alan Cobby has run charity football events in Waikato and Bay of Plenty since 2023. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
A celebrity football match is kicking off in Waikato this weekend.
The Kick for a Cause event is bringing together sports stars, politicians, and local personalities to raise money for the Salvation Army.
At a training night in Cambridge, Nat Broadhead from Waikato - Bay of Plenty Football was running drills as the players prepared for the big day on Sunday.
Broadbent said it was a fun event to be involved with.
"A lot of them haven't played football, or not for a long time, so they're really eager," she said.
Despite the event being about having fun and supporting the Salvation Army, Broadbent said there was still a bit of competitive spirit bouncing around.
"They'll be straight in, they'll be looking to score goals, make good tackles, have a good time."
Some of that came from the elite sports background of many players - the event included a former All Black, kayak world champion, and a professional netballer among the line-ups.
Nick Collier won gold at the under-23 kayak cross world championship this year and used to play football before he got into kayaking.
Nick Collier, who won gold at the under-23 kayak cross world championship this year. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
When he was asked to take part in the charity match he thought it was a brilliant idea.
"Connecting everyone together for a common cause, the Salvation Army, I just thought it was awesome," he said.
Charlie Ngatai, a former All Black and Māori All Blacks captain, is no stranger to a ball game.
"Not this ball, a different shape ball, but it's still a ball so we'll see how we go," he said.
Charlie Ngatai, a former All Black and Māori All Blacks captain. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
Not that everyone playing came from an elite sport background.
Tracy Hemingway, known locally as the DebtFreeDiva, said football wasn't her thing before she got involved with Kick for a Cause. This was the second time she had taken part in one of the charity matches.
"I really love the concept; it's really nice to get out and about and we are obviously raising money for charity and just get out of my comfort zone - I've never played soccer in my life!" she said.
Tracy Hemingway, known locally as the DebtFreeDiva, is playing in the women's game. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
Alan Cobby and his daughter Chantelle had run charity football events in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty since 2023.
"Chantelle caught a glimpse of Soccer Aid on TV from the UK, and she pitched the idea to me just knowing I just love football," he said.
Cobby senior would be umpiring the women's game on Sunday and said the event had snowballed since the first games in Rotorua.
The Kick for a Cause event is bringing together sports stars, politicians, and local personalities to raise money for the Salvation Army. Photo: RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
Annette Willis and Initi Tuiono from the Cambridge branch of Salvation Army came along to watch the training night.
They were keen to support those giving their time for the charity.
"I'm just a screamer on the sideline," said Tuiono.
RNZ asked if she had a favourite player from those who had volunteered to take part.
"For now, I'll just scream for whoever is running with the ball," she said.
Willis said the money raised would help the 80 people they supported in the Waikato town each month, including the homeless.
"This will go for our foodbank, [towards] kids schooling, we help out with that too. It will go a long way," she said.
Kick off starts with the women's game, followed by the men's from 1pm on Sunday at the Cambridge football grounds.
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