Blood donor drive adds new dimension to football rivalry

Nambour Yandina United and the Woombye Snakes’ rivalry has taken on a new and meaningful twist off the pitch. Thanks to Woombye club member Geoff Borthwick, both clubs have embarked on a friendly blood donation contest, challenging one another to see who can donate the most blood over three months.

Geoff came up with the idea after hearing about a similar recent radio challenge. “I thought rather than just talk rivalry on the field, let’s give back to the community that helps the club with everything that’s going on like flood cleanups and injuries etcetera.  I rang NYU and they were keen to come on board,” Geoff said.

“It really plays into the rivalry – and it’s for a great cause. So people from the club will be donating blood. Nambour Yandina United will do the same and we’ll see who collects the most through to the end of August.”

The clubs’ teams have been clocking donations since June. “Today at the Lifeblood centre we booked seven seats, and we turned it into a real Snake Pit — with our members there donating,” said Geoff on Thursday July 17.

With four senior games played between the clubs on Saturday (July 19) at the Snakes’ home ground, Geoff says the competition added extra meaning. “It’s not just points on the field – it’s who can save the most lives,” he said.

Lifeblood Relationship Manager Rebecca Ind said it was wonderful to have some fresh faces in the donor centre at Nambour. “We need lots of fit young people to give blood,” she said. “We’ll have had 15 new donors as a result of this campaign so it’s an opportunity to make a real difference and is truly incredible and very much appreciated.” 

See the Gallery from game day

Snakes supporters stepping up to donate blood include, from left, Dylan Dunshea, organiser Geoff Borthwick, Ryan Dunshea and Lesley Dunshea.