Monbulk Junior Football Club has scored a delicious victory, winning McCain’s ‘Pizza for a Year’ competition – a community initiative run in partnership with IGA Ritchie Stores – the prize includes a year’s supply of frozen pizzas.
Events manager, Carol Rothschild, presented the prize on behalf of McCain Pizzas at a special celebration hosted at the club on Wednesday, 21 May.
“When we got the call from McCain that we had won, we were all blown away – lots of clapping and disbelief that we had won,” Ms Rothschild said.
“Such a massive opportunity for our club to celebrate.”
The competition was run through IGA Ritchie Stores, encouraging people who purchased McCain pizzas to enter and nominate a local children’s community group to receive a McCain Pizza Party.
A local gentleman, Andrew McGlashan, had recently moved to the area and decided to enter, hoping to meet new people, he nominated Monbulk Football Club as the group to receive the prize if he won – and that’s exactly what happened.
“This win is a wonderful opportunity to bring community together,” Ms Rothschild said.
“It gave someone new to our community an opportunity to meet new people, and it brought our kids, parents and committee together with Andrew to celebrate – enjoying games, face painting and eating yummy McCain pizzas.”
The prize didn’t stop at pizza party, the club also received an IGA voucher valued at over $5000.
“We can use it to purchase food for Meals Nights throughout the season, which is such an amazing opportunity to assist the club financially,” Ms Rothschild said.
“Especially given the financial burden families are experiencing at the moment, we can run these nights for free.”
Monbulk Juniors is proud to be a welcoming and inclusive club, where everyone is invited to be part of the community.
“We had our U11 Girls inaugural team, our U12 Girls – who won the Outer Eastern League Premiership in 2024 – and our U14 Boys team all come along to enjoy the McCain Pizza Party,” Ms Rothschild said.
“They are a great bunch of kids who enjoy playing AFL and being part of a team. Belonging to a club helps them find lifelong friendships and creates a place they’ll always know they can return to.”
Last year, the club was named Best Club for 2024 by the Outer Eastern League, recognising their efforts on and off the field.
“This is a testament to our players, parents, volunteers and committee who pride themselves on being a club where everyone is welcome. It is a safe and inclusive space that is a fun, happy and respectful environment.”
Ms Rothschild said the win has also lifted the spirits of those working behind the scenes.
“It’s definitely a boost to the morale of volunteers and committee as it helps to take some of the financial strain off the club. It also gives us a chance to do something fun and different with the kids – showing them that footy is about more than just the game. It’s about spending time with your mates,” she said.
And the biggest pizza fan at the club? That title goes to president Peter Donald – affectionately known as PJ.
“He’s known to have a love of food in general,” Ms Rothschild said.
“If you ask the ladies in the canteen at home games, they have to keep him well fed! I think he’d have a Meat Lovers lined up as his favourite topping. As they say – you gotta feed the man meat.”
The club was quick to express its thanks.
“We’d just like to thank McCain for putting this competition together for the community,” Ms Rothschild said.
“We especially want to thank Andrew McGlashan for entering and choosing our club to receive the prize.”
“Thank you also to Creative Events for delivering the Pizza Party at our clubrooms. You guys were fantastic and we had so much fun.”
