It was a massive day at the Boisdale Recreation Reserve last Saturday as the Boisdale Briagolong Football Netball Club hosted its annual Little Jem Round, coinciding with a highly anticipated home clash against arch-rival Stratford.
The blockbuster day featured seven games of netball, four matches of football, and an appearance by more than 50 Auskickers. Hundreds of supporters packed the venue alongside an incredible group of sponsors, contributing to the club’s biggest Little Jem Round to date. The day’s massive fundraising efforts saw 1,610 raffle tickets sold and hundreds of pieces of specially themed merchandise purchased.
The Little Jem Foundation provides vital assistance to Gippsland families who experience the sudden loss of a baby or child during pregnancy, infancy, or early childhood.
The foundation was launched by Amy and Mat Daly in memory of their daughter, Jemma Sue, who was born 13 weeks premature and passed away days after her birth in March 2005.
Boisdale Briagolong officials noted that an event of this scale takes months of planning and an army of dedicated volunteers. A particular highlight of the day was the halftime entertainment, which featured enthusiastic junior players from the Briagolong and Stratford Auskick families. The celebrations continued into the evening inside the clubrooms with live entertainment provided by Jason Bawden.
The Bombers extended their sincere thanks to the Stratford Football Netball Club for their exceptional sportsmanship. Stratford accommodated multiple scheduling changes on the day, provided fierce competition on the courts and fields, and made a generous financial donation directly to the foundation.
Club representatives said they felt privileged to champion such an important cause and help shine a light on the critical support the foundation delivers to local families in their time of greatest need.
