Footballers play for former team mate
The Stunited crew – from left, back row, Dave Macaskill, Richard Scott, Neil Henry, Ritchie Vercoe, Klaus Pol, Wolfie Waechter, Aaron Hayes, Craig Forman, Mick Potter, Robin Mortimer, Chris Short. Front row, Kevan Buck, Craig Smart, Andy Wheeler, Peter Mortimer, John Argyle, Mike Nicholls, Marco Fernandez and Stephen Benjamin. Photo supplied
A group of like-minded Marlborough footballers travelled south last weekend to take part in a special tournament.
The Marlborough combination, labelled “Stunited”, played in the Masters Memorial tournament at Kendall Park, Kaiapoi, on Saturday and Sunday.
The tournament, which is in its second year, was set up to remember all the players who have played in the Masters Games over the years and are no longer with us. It also serves as a fundraiser for wellbeing and the Cancer Foundation.
‘Stunited’, based around the local Rangers Masters side, turned out in memory of their footballing mate Stuart Prattley who passed away a couple of weeks before the South Island Masters in Timaru in October last year.
The Marlborough crew raised over $2000 towards the tournament, everyone celebrating a worthwhile cause and in good spirit, according to team member Pete Mortimer. The funds will go to the Blenheim cancer group.
A team member also donated a weekend away to Lochmara Lodge which went in the silent auction for $2000.
On the field the team surprised themselves by reaching the tournament final, “but finishing second out of 16 teams was an awesome effort”, said Pete.
“We were thrilled to win the sportsmanship award. We also had a number of players who helped play in the mixed team to make up the 16th team and some players also helped as referees,” he added.