Some young representatives of the Crows Children’s Foundation could hardly contain their excitement when fan favourite Eddie Betts was drawn as the Foundation’s sponsored player for Season 2016.

This year, the Adelaide Football Club has donated one of its player sponsorship packages to the Crows Children’s Foundation.

As part of the sponsorship, the Foundation invited one of its three major charity partners for the year, the Childhood Cancer Association, to attend the Club’s player sponsors dinner on Tuesday night. The Sorrell family were selected to head along to the dinner at Sunnybrae Estate on behalf of the Childhood Cancer Association.

At the annual event, each member of the Crows playing group is aligned with a sponsor. The 45 player names were selected at random in an electronic draw.

Mark Sorrell and his children, five-year old Rupert, seven-year-old Harriet and her twin brother Alexander, who is being supported by the Childhood Cancer Association, were on their best behaviour as they waited to find out which Crows player would be joining them for dinner. The Sorrell family are all keen Crows fans, especially Alexander, whose favourite player is Rory Sloane with Eddie a close second. 

The Sorrell kids were rapt when it was the Foundation’s turn to receive their sponsored player, and Eddie’s name popped up on the screen. Equally as excited, Eddie greeted the kids with high fives. 

Alexander was quite overwhelmed at first, hiding under the tablecloth! But but as dinner progressed the All Australian forward worked his magic and had the kids entertained with phone games and artwork. Rory Sloane also made his way over for a chat and a photo with Alexander.

There were happy sponsors and players across the board. A seafood lover, midfielder Scott Thompson was also thrilled with his 2016 sponsor, International Oyster and Seafoods!

Each sponsor had a photo with their player on the night, and will also be presented with a signed framed photo.

This year, the Club welcomed new player sponsors: Kangaroo Transport Industries, Mortgage Originators Pty Ltd, Solomon Humble Pty Ltd, Tanti Constructions and Territory Trade Services.

Several long-serving player sponsors were also recognised for their amazing support.

The Crows Supporters Group and The Direct Mail Centre are entering their 15th year as player sponsors, while Basso Newman and the Young Family have now been involved for a decade.

Five-year awards were presented to player sponsors; Feast Fine Foods, Legh & Helen Davis and Enzo’s Ristorante.

The Club would like to thank all of its 2016 player sponsors for their support:
ACAL/Mercato
AccessPay Pty Ltd
Active Asphalt
Adelaide Pressed Metal Pty Ltd
Aussie Ripper Roasts
Bakers Delight Fulham Gardens / Hilton Plaza
Barry Stoodley Pty Ltd
Basso Newman Pty Ltd
Betta Blinds
Blanch Automotive Repairs
BPI Wealth
Caldow Accounting and Advisory
Crows Supporters Group
Distinctive Homes
Enzo's Ristorante
Feast Fine Foods
GIC Australia
Harris Real Estate
International Oyster & Seafoods
Joan Hall
Klemich Real Estate
KPMG
KTC Entertainment
Legh & Helen Davis
Longford Cleaning
Nick & Chris Chapman
Peter & Judy Salveson
Peter & Piret Vaughton
Royal Family Hotel Port Elliot
SA Structural Pty Ltd
Savill Packaging
St Andrew's Hospital
Sutton Electrical Services
Terry & Anne Sullivan
The Direct Mail Centre of Australia
Truck & Car Brake Service Pty Ltd
White Marquee Company
Young Family
Zaurbek Thoroughbreds
Crows Foundation
Kangaroo Transport Industries
Mortgage Originators Pty Ltd
Solomon Humble Pty Ltd
Tanti Constructions
Territory Trade Services