Sport
GV Suns begin pre-season with fundraiser and clash against NPL heavyweights Melbourne Knights
The Goulburn Valley Suns will band together for one of their own this weekend as they begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly match against NPL powerhouse Melbourne Knights.
The Suns are throwing their support around the Prothero family as father Craig continues his treatment to fight an aggressive form of cancer.
All tickets sold on Saturday will go towards the Prothero family, with entry priced at $5.
Suns general manager Jacqui Stojanovski encouraged the Shepparton and wider Goulburn Valley football community to head along to Saturday’s match at McEwen Reserve to help support a much-loved family in the community.
“We want to raise as much money as we can for one of our families,” she said.
“They’re just a great family and they’re always first to put their hand up to help out ... they’ve been around the club for quite a few years now. One of our under-18s goalkeepers, Charlie (Prothero) has been with us since under-14s.
“We (GV Suns) are a big family and it’s important we show our support to Craig and his family as they go through this incredibly tough time.
“Whatever we can do to help them out, whether it’s big or small, we will do that.”
With raising funds for Craig’s health battle front and centre on Saturday, there will be plenty of action out on the pitch.
The Suns’ opponents on Saturday are a heavyweight of Victoria’s top-tier.
The Knights, who reached the semi-final of last year’s Australia Cup, will present a strong challenge to Craig Carley’s Orangemen.
Stojanovski was ecstatic that the Suns have the chance to take them on in front of their home supporters.
“Definitely, we always get a lot of big clubs come up and do their pre-season camps up here and, I guess, we’re lucky in that aspect that we have the facilities that draw big clubs,” she said.
“Melbourne Knights are a big NPL club, they have a big support network and they actually have a lot of supporters up here in Shepp.
“Hopefully we can draw a big crowd on Saturday.”
Kick-off for Saturday’s match is 3pm and entry is $5 with all ticket sales going towards the Prothero family.