With the stigma of ‘lavish spending and a decadent money-centric lifestyle’ weighing heavy over the football profession, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that there are those that play the world game not just for their own personal gain.
Although they aren’t on the levels of say, David Beckham or Damian Duff – who have both famously donated their season wages to charity – just yet, a group of ambitious Victorian footballers are on the path to starting their own philanthropy empire.
LEGENDproject.org is a charity start up, founded by local footballers Jamie de Smit of Kingston City, Wade Dekker of Melbourne City and Joel Poppenbeck of Knox Churches FC with the ultimate aim of aiding the homeless community across Victoria.
The vision of the self-titled social empire is simple; use the power of sport to help make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
“Basically I was inspired by the guy who started Thankyou Water and wanted to do something similar in the sport community,” said co-founder de Smit.
“So myself and a few other footballers from Melbourne City and Knox Churches FC came together and thought up this idea.
“We want to create sports apparel and accessories with 100% of profits going to help local people. And we want to start with sports bags.”
CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE: HELP FUND THE KICKSTARTER HERE
Not only will the monetary profits going towards assisting homeless shelters across Dandenong, St Kilda and the Melbourne CBD, but they plan on doing something a lot more special; put simply “You buy a bag, we’ll give a bag”.
“The drawstring bags can be used for football boots, your wallet and keys when you’re at the gym, or even at Uni,” de Smit said.
“But with every purchase of a bag, we’ll give the exact same bag, filled with basic necessities such as food, water, hygiene products and a raincoat, to those in need living in poverty”
“Most of all, we just want to challenge people to do something [about the problem of homelessness] now. Raising awareness by either liking us on Facebook, sharing our posts, telling your friends or buying a legend bag. It all counts!”
The group are aiming to raise $1000 to kick-start their project, with a strong aim at getting the Victorian football community involved.
The money will go towards funding the inventory for the first batch of bags, as well as assisting in both the launch and promotion of their website.
We implore those reading this article from within the boardrooms of football clubs to share and donate towards this project, and to be a part of a lasting Victorian legacy that goes beyond football.
You can help by visiting their website, following the boys on social media and spreading the message as much as possible.