LOCAL businesses are getting behind a young Hervey Bay football player to help his dream of touring with the Joey’s All Star Team become a reality.
Photo used with permission from FC Sports Media – the Fraser Coast’s leading sports news provider. Story continues below photo.
Jaiden Rattray was selected to tour Germany with the team next year.
The 13-year-old’s selection was based on his performance at the Joey’s Mini World Cup in Hervey Bay earlier this year.
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The tour will see players feature in friendly matches and tournaments, receive professional coaching and visit elite sporting schools in Germany.
Jaiden believes the experience will help him reach his goal of becoming a professional football player in the future.
He has been selling raffle tickets, with multiple prizes sponsored by local businesses, to help raise the necessary funds to board the plane.
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In another major boost, Domino’s in Hervey Bay will help ‘Raise some Dough’ for Jaiden this Wednesday.
The Domino’s Hervey Bay and Torquay stores will donate 50 cents from every pizza sold between 5pm and 8pm tomorrow evening to Jaiden’s Journey to Germany – the fundraising campaign set-up by his parents.
Franchisee Sharnay Conlon said she was proud to be supporting Jaiden and hoped the initiative would help raise $300.
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Sharnay said she wanted to help Jaiden in some way after hearing about his selection.
“This opportunity for Jaiden to play competitive tournaments, receive guidance from coaches in Germany, and stay at elite sporting schools while on the tour is so exciting. Opportunities to participate in an international sporting tour don’t come around too often, so it’s great to be able to help Jaiden attend this tour,” she said.
“I’m passionate about giving back to the Fraser Coast community and I think it’s so important to support our local talent when an opportunity such as the one that has been presented to Jaiden arises.
“Jaiden is a talented young sportsperson and we want to help give him a chance to expand his skills and excel.
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“We encourage all of our customers, pizza lovers and soccer supporters alike, to come down to the Domino’s Hervey Bay or Torquay stores on Wednesday 24 November for a slice of their favourite pizza as we raise funds to help get Jaiden on his way to Germany next year,” Sharnay said.
Meanwhile, Sharon Rattray, Jaiden’s mum, said the family had been overwhelmed by the community’s support.
“Local businesses have been so generous. Many have donated vouchers for his raffle and provided venues for his fundraisers.”
Jaiden, who has played for Hervey Bay’s United Warriors for five years, is in Year 8 at Hervey Bay High School.
You can keep up-to-date with Jaiden’s Journey to Germany and his fundraising efforts on Facebook.
And of course, who is ordering pizza for dinner on Wednesday?
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