Reclink Community Cup: Canberra media vs musicians
Next month, local musicians and radio personalities will face off against Canberra’s media on the AFL field in the name of charity.
Chloe Sinclair is an accomplished composer. At 23, her choral and orchestral works have been performed by Gondwana Voices, the Royal Military Band, the National Capital Orchestra and the Canberra Youth Orchestra.
She’s also a lifelong fan of Aussie Rules, or AFL. Originally a Sydney Swans fan like her family, Chloe has been a follower of the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants since the club’s foundation in 2009.
Currently studying honours at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Chloe’s compositions have taken her as far as major studios in Los Angeles, but she never had time to pursue her other passion until a fateful night at a local gig last year.
“I was at a friend’s gig one night and we got talking about footy,” she explains. “Soon discovering we were both huge AFL fans, she invited me to come and play for the musicians’ Reclink team.”
Chloe will be just one of many talented Canberrans taking to the field next month for Reclink 2019, AKA the Canberra Reclink Community Cup, which kicks off on Sunday 8 September at Jamison Oval.
Founded in Melbourne in 1993, Reclink is a community AFL match that pits local musicians and radio personalities (The Limestones) against local media (The Noise) to raise money for Reclink Australia, an organisation that facilitates evidence-based arts and sports programs for disadvantaged Australians.
This is Reclink’s third year in Canberra, and tensions are high. Last year, The Limestones took home the cup in a huge upset, and this year The Noise is rightfully looking to snatch it back. Not that we’re, ahem, biased or anything.
Journalist Fleta Page, who will be playing for The Noise.
“I always wanted to play [AFL] when I was younger but never could fit it in with all my musical activities, so getting to finally play was such a thrill,” says Chloe, adding that Reclink also represented a chance for her to support a community that had given her so much.
“I grew up extremely involved in the Canberra music scene, learning violin, viola, piano and voice from a young age. I wouldn’t be composing today without the support and encouragement I received for the Canberra music community to pursue my passion.”
Tim Daly, Executive Officer of This Is My Brave Australia, has been the force behind Reclink Canberra for the last three years after a Facebook comment section spurred him to action.
“In 2016, myself and David Lane from 2XX–both AFL tragics–commented on a Facebook post that announced [that] the Reclink Community Cup games had gone national,” says Tim.
Tim and David’s comments were to the effect of ‘it’s not national until it’s in Canberra too’ and the response was ‘why don’t you start one?’ So they did.
Tim is now part of a much larger Reclink Canberra team, but his passion for the cause (and the game) remains the same.
“Mark Ransome, the local Reclink Project Manager, and his staff are unsung heroes who work in the toughest environments in Canberra,” he explains. “It is a wonderful day of music and footy.”
Chloe Sinclair.
Chloe couldn’t agree more, saying that “there was buzz the entire day” at last year’s Reclink.
“Everyone was excited to get out on the field, and the crowd was so supportive and inclusive.”
As for how she went onfield, Chloe says that while playing took some getting used to as “it’s a very fast-paced game [and] adjusting to that took a second”, she had no trouble helping bring home the cup for The Limestones on game day.
“I did a pretty impressive tackle. I took down a man more than double my size which then led to the set-up of a goal that then helped us win the game.”
Musician Chris Endrey, who will be playing for The Limestones.
So, what can visitors expect on game day? A great day out for the whole family, according to Tim and Chloe–whether you’re a fan of AFL or not.
Aside from a cracking game of Aussie Rules, Tim says that “the 2XX BBQ Pavilion will be up and running with sausage sandwiches, Young Henry’s will be supplying ale and cider on the day, Canberra Milk will be on hand with a variety of drinks for everyone and the 2XX broadcast team will be on hand to bring you a kick-by-kick commentary on the day.”
“Pre-game, half time and post-game there will be live bands playing for everyone’s enjoyment.”
“You get to have a day out in the sun watching a great game of footy, all while supporting an incredible organisation that directly gives back to the local community,” says Chloe. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”
the essentials
What: Canberra Reclink Community Cup 2019
When: Sunday 8 September. Gates open at 11 am
Where: Jamison Oval, Macquarie
Cost: $15 for adults, $5 concession with kids under 12 free
Tickets: Only available at the gate, on the day
More information: communitycup.com.au/canberra and Facebook
