On Friday night, RaboDirect, principal sponsor of the Rebels rugby team, donated $15,000 to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.  The donation was presented at the conclusion of the match by RaboDirect General Manager, Greg McAweeney, and was received by one of the RaboDirect Rebels standout players, Julian Huxley.

Before the game, RaboDirect pledged to donate $3,000 per try scored by either team during Friday night’s clash against the ACT Brumbies at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.  However, despite only three tries being scored in a nail biting competition upset that saw the Rebels clinching a 25-24 win in the final minute over the Brumbies, RaboDirect increased the pledge of $3,000 per try to a total donation of $15,000.

A minute’s silence was held at the start of the game once the players were on the pitch, to remember those who had lost their lives in the disaster.

Greg McAweeney, General Manager of RaboDirect, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to help the victims of the Christchurch earthquake in any way we can.  We hope this donation will help the many people suffering as a result of this horrific disaster.  We’d like to thank the players from both teams for their outstanding efforts on Friday night.  We asked for their support and they most certainly all rose to that challenge.  We’d also like to thank the fans who came out to the game to cheer on the players.”

The impressive game, which ended with the Rebels’ first win of the season, was watched by a crowd of almost 15,000 people.  However, according to Greg McAweeney, although the victory was very exciting the aim of Friday’s game was not just about winning.

“Friday’s game was very much about showing our support for those people in Christchurch who are suffering.  For that reason, the numbers on the scoreboard had a completely different meaning,” McAweeney said.

The donation by RaboDirect is additional to a donation by Rabobank, RaboDirect’s parent company, of $100,000 towards the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

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RaboDirect, principle sponsor of the Rebels, today announced it will donate thousands to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, committing to give $3,000 per try scored by either team during tonight’s clash against the Brumbies at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

Greg McAweeney, General Manager RaboDirect, said: “The recent earthquake in Christchurch is truly horrific and our thoughts and prayers are with all those suffering as a result.  We want to show our support and solidarity, so we’re calling on the Rebels to help us out and get across the line as many times as they can tonight.  Beating the Brumbies will be no easy feat but with exciting players on both teams we’re expecting a great game filled with a lot of tries.”

The elite Rebels players previously helped raise $15,000 for the QLD and VIC flood appeals when RaboDirect pledged to donate $3,000 per try scored during the pre season game against the Crusaders at the beginning of the month.

“The players helped support the QLD and VIC flood victims before and they’re keen to help again. We wanted to be aligned with a team that shared our values. It is important for us at RaboDirect to help those in need when we can and the Rebels have shown their commitment to that again.”

Winning the game would be a bonus for the Rebels but with five squad members being New Zealanders – Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson, Hoani Macdonald, Kevin O’Neill and Tom Chamberlain – tonight’s game will focus on tallying a substantial donation for the Christchurch earthquake victims.

Greg McAweeney said that donating to the victims of New Zealand was particularly significant to the cooperative bank, which has a strong agribusiness background and presence in the country.

A running tally on the big screen throughout the game will keep players and fans up to date with the total donation count. In the event of a low or zero try-scoring match, Greg McAweeney said RaboDirect will stand by its commitment to donate to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and will reveal the total at the end of the match.

“An exciting game of Rugby resulting in a win would be great but when put in perspective of the tragedy in Christchurch what we’re really looking for are high numbers on that scoreboard when the final whistle blows.  The RaboDirect Rebels’ players have risen to the challenge once and are keen to help again. We are calling on the Brumbies to rise to the challenge as well.”

The total donation will be presented at the conclusion of the match by Greg McAweeney to a selection of the native New Zealand players from the Rebels, who will accept the donation on behalf of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

The commitment by RaboDirect is additional to a donation by Rabobank, RaboDirect’s parent company, of $100,000 towards the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

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