East Sunbury will join forces with Sunbury RSL on Saturday to pay tribute to servicemen and women as part of Anzac Day commemorations.
Thunder president Keith Osborne said the club wants to form an ongoing relationship with the RSL to help its members properly understand the importance of the day.
“It’s pretty prestigious playing on the Anzac Day weekend,” Osborne said.
“We’re the new boys on the block and we haven’t had this opportunity before to do something like this.”
Sunbury RSL president Graeme Williams said having sporting clubs involved in Anzac Day matches was a good way to get more people involved in celebrating what is a special day in Australian history.
“It’s a good way to educate people about history of Anzac Day and what’s happened in our history,” Williams said.
“We’ve had whole sporting clubs involved … with their players coming to the service.
“It’s good to have them involved and it’s good for the community for us to come out to sporting clubs.”
The RSL has given the Thunder an Australian flag to display at the club, and will join in the commemorations at John McMahon Reserve at Goonawarra before the senior game against East Keilor.
Jeb Summers, who’s a member of both the RSL and football club, will also be involved.
“We’ve involved Jeb in the ceremony,” Osborne said.
“He’s not playing this year due to injury.
“But he’ll do a presentation before the game,” Summer said.
“It’s about educating, not just the older members, but the younger members as well.”
There will be badges on sale on Saturday to raise money for the RSL.
Sunbury RSL has two Anzac Day services on Monday, a dawn service at 6am and a parade and service from 10am.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Thunder was beaten by a fast finishing Jacana.
The Thunder led by 16 points at three-quarter time. But the Jaguars kicked five goals to one in the final term to seal the win, 10.12 (72)- 9.10 (64).
Jason McMahon and Aaron Aquilina were best for the Thunder in their loss.
