Monique set to hit the field

Preparations are well underway as Sydney gets ready to host its first Reclink Community Cup when the Sydney Sailors and the Western Walers take to the football oval at Henson Park, Marrickville on Sunday, March 18.

Music and entertainment industry identities will battle it out in an Australian Rules football match, all in the name of raising funds for Reclink Australia, a charity that assists the disadvantaged.

ABC Sydney radio’s Adam Spencer will captain the Sydney Sailors. Players will include Star Observer columnist Monique Schafter (pictured), Merrick Watts, and Rhys Muldoon.

Musician Dan Sultan will captain the Western Walers which will be made up of Sydney musicians and music industry personnel.

“The community cup has always been a great day out in the spirit of charity and football. Taking it to Sydney is interesting as most Sydneysiders could not care less about Australian Rules football,” Sultan said.

“Fortunately, as the level of football is so poor, it ends up not really being about the game and more about the day itself.”

While the football match will be the centrepiece, bands including the Meanies, Front End Loader, and the Celibate Rifles will play during the day.

A Melbourne mainstay for 20 years, this weekend will mark the first time the event has come to Sydney.

INFO: www.communitycup.org.au

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story stated that Tom Ballard would be playing in the match – he won’t. This was based on incorrect information supplied to us by the organisers and has now been corrected.