Sixers to tip their cap in appreciation of ADF families

Thursday night’s game against Melbourne United will carry extra significance for the Adelaide 36ers as the club acknowledges the sacrifices made by Australian Defence Force personnel and their families.

With the game falling the day after Remembrance Day, a number of initiatives have been organised to pay tribute to those who have given up so much in defence of our nation.

Among them, the club has created and given out 360 special ADF two-game memberships and a number of ADF families will be involved both in the pre-game guard of honour as well as a post-game clinic at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

The club has also created a special ADF Appreciation Round cap for sale, with part proceeds going to the RSL SA/NT/Broken Hill and Legacy SA & Broken Hill supporting current serving and ex serving ADF personnel, veterans, and their families.

In recent years, the Adelaide 36ers have strengthened their connection with the Defence community, delivering specialised school and holiday programs for South Australia's defence families through the club’s not-for-profit Shooting Hoops Foundation.

Shooting Hoops received funding from Defence Member and Family Support, a branch of the Commonwealth Department of Defence, to deliver this activity, helping the Adelaide 36ers provide meaningful opportunities for ADF children and families to connect, participate, and have fun through basketball.

“The Defence Wellbeing and Positive Connections Program has delivered meaningful outcomes for Defence personnel and their families over the past 12 months, and we are proud to continue building on those foundations,” Adelaide 36ers Chief of External Relations and Community Strategy Ross Wait said.

“We recognise the significant sacrifices made by Australian Defence Force personnel and their families in service to our country and through this program and our ADF Appreciation Round, we are committed to helping strengthen support networks, build resilience and create opportunities for meaningful community connection.”

The Defence Wellbeing and Positive Connections Program has been delivered across 10 South Australian schools with large ADF populations, while the club has also delivered its Beyond the Baseline resilience program in five ADF schools.

A special clinic in the last school holidays offered ADF families the chance to link up while learning some basketball skills from 36ers players and coaches, and the club has also organised a family event to build on those connections.

RSL SA CEO Tara Belton was grateful to be working with the Adelaide 36ers.

“The RSL of SA/NT & Broken Hill is extremely proud to have reignited its partnership with the Adelaide 36ers, strengthening a shared commitment to supporting those who serve our nation,” she said.

“We are further honoured to have been selected as a recipient of part-proceeds from the sale of the newly designed ADF Appreciation Cap.  These funds will be directed towards RSL Reach Out, our highly valued wellbeing program.

“RSL Reach Out provides practical assistance and support to veterans ensuring they receive the help they deserve when they need it most. With demand for these services growing, this contribution will help us continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of current and former serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

“We thank the Adelaide 36ers for their ongoing support of the veteran community and look forward to building on this important partnership.”

Legacy South Australia & Broken Hill CEO Dan Demaria said Legacy was appreciative that part-proceeds from the sale of the ADF Appreciation cap would go to help the families of veterans.

“Our programs to help children of veterans with their education needs or the widows of veterans with their utility bills all require money and every dollar helps,” he said.

You can pre-order your Starter ADF Appreciation cap through the Adelaide 36ers Store.

Featuring a khaki crown, dark olive peak, embroidered Adelaide 36ers logo and Starter detailing, it’s finished with a commemorative side patch honouring Australian Defence Force personnel.

If you are going to Thursday night’s game, ensure you are there early. A traditional Remembrance Ceremony will be observed at 6:50pm, prior to the 7pm tip-off.

The last remaining tickets are available through Ticketek.

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