Bruce chips in and kicks a goal for the Whyalla community

Community, Our people, Uncategorized > 24th June, 2024

Steel Sourcing Manager scores charity auction football guernsey

Bruce Rogers is a true believer when it comes the Port Adelaide Football Club so it was no surprise he was front and centre in the recent bidding for a signed guernsey in Whyalla.

GFG Alliance, through its Whyalla LIBERTY Primary Steel (LPS) and SIMEC Mining Iron Ore operations, helped to auction the guernsey on behalf of the Plaza Youth Centre (PYC) which is raising money to buy its much-utilised Whyalla headquarters. The guernsey was one of two provided by the GFG-sponsored Port Adelaide with the other being raffled off by businesses and other outlets in Whyalla.

For Bruce, the LIBERTY Primary Steel Sourcing Manager who literally bleeds the club colours of black, white and teal (he has two Port tattoos to prove it), the guernsey signed by the Port leadership group of players was a ‘must have’ for his already impressive collection of Port memorabilia.

The Port Adelaide Football Club and GFG Alliance do a lot for our community and our kids

Tamy Pond

The $325 buy, with all the money going to the PYC, was a ‘great score’ according to Bruce who now has nearly 30 Port Adelaide guernseys in his collection.

“This is a pretty special guernsey considering the names of the leadership group on it,” Bruce said.

“I was very happy to part with $325 for it and would have gone higher if needed because it was for such a good cause.

“The PYC does a great job and looks after a lot of kids in Whyalla.”

Port Adelaide has proudly worn the GFG logo in the AFL for the past five years through a major sponsorship from the family of GFG Alliance Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta. This support has seen the city of Whyalla and community reaping many other benefits including a pre-season match along with annual training camps, sporting nights and match-day ticket specials.

It is a sponsorship that created the link to the youth support organisation through the GFG Whyalla operations that PYC spokesperson Tamy Pond said was very much appreciated by the Whyalla community.

“The Port Adelaide Football Club and GFG Alliance do a lot for our community and our kids,” Tamy said.

“This is just another example and we’re rapt that this guernsey went to such a devoted Port Adelaide supporter.

“Thanks to Bruce and GFG for supporting this initiative with this money going a long way towards helping the PYC buy its headquarters and continue supporting kids and the community in Whyalla.”

To cap off the exercise, the guernsey was presented to Bruce by colleague Noel Goldsworthy (also a Port supporter) who knew Bruce had bid $325 the night before the close off. Noel was going to bid $350 on close-off day, just to pip Bruce in their friendly rivalry, but missed the deadline.

Had Noel won the guernsey, he intended to give it to Bruce anyway and will now donate the extra $25, he was going to bid, to the PYC.

The PYC does a great job and looks after a lot of kids in Whyalla

Bruce Rogers

The second guernsey is being raffled with $1 tickets available at various Whyalla business outlets or by contacting Tamy on 0418 244 400. Please also contact Tamy if you are available to sell some tickets.

Donations to the PYC can also be made directly to Plaza Youth Centre by contacting PYC Coordinator Joanne Jones on 8645 3999 with all proceeds, for now, going towards the purchase of the Colebrook St headquarters.

Main picture: Noel Goldsworthy (right) presents Bruce Rogers with his Port Adelaide guernsey after much byplay between the two Port fans. Right middle: Bruce proudly displays his signed guernsey.

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