GVGjr
16-11-2007, 08:55 PM
I got this from the club a bit earlier and thought you might find it interesting.
Former Footscray footballer Neil Sachse will return to the Kennel on Monday, 19 November to view the ever-changing redevelopment and formalise a partnership between his Foundation, The Neil Sachse Foundation, and the Western Bulldogs.
Sachse created the Neil Sachse Foundation following a tragic accident at Whitten Oval during a game in 1975 that left him a quadriplegic. His aim was to create a Foundation to operate as a centre of Excellence for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
Sachse’s return to the Western Bulldogs is part of the club’s goal to find all “lost dogs” out in the community who may have played for Footscray or supported the side back in the day.
2008 will see the $26M Whitten Oval redevelopment open with a Hall of Fame to follow in 2009 with a section of that Hall of Fame to be dedicated to Neil Sachse.
Western Bulldogs Chief Executive Campbell Rose said the partnership with the Neil Sachse Foundation was about embracing the past of the club and taking it into the new era.
“Neil Sachse is an example of what can be achieved if you believe it. This mirrors the values of the Western Bulldogs Football Club as we strive for excellence on and off the field. His Foundation has raised in excess of $2 million since 1994 providing groundbreaking research into new treatments for spinal cord injury that has the potential to return some lost function to humans,” he said.
“We are the community club of the AFL and to that end we want past supporters and players to re-join the fabric that makes up our club. Our Hall of Fame will reflect the rich past that we have had – both good and bad times – and highlight the successes we have achieved over the past few years. Those people should join us in celebrating that success.”
The Western Bulldogs formed a Heritage Committee in 2005 with two historians Ray Stevens and Darren Arthur, in order to achieve three goals; welcome back all of the “lost dogs” out there in the community, coordinate the return of the club’s memorabilia and historic items, and preserve the Club history.
Chairman of the Heritage Committee, Neil O’Keefe said “The heritage committee is about bringing back the past and taking it into the present through the proud history and heritage of the red, white and blue.”
“Having Neil Sachse return to the Oval, the site of his tragic accident, is a great example of bringing the past back to the oval into what’s going to be our wonderful new home boasting an outstanding display showcasing the history of this club,” O’keefe said.
Members of the Heritage Committee are: Brett Joseph, George Montebello, Glenys Jackson, Joe Azzopardi, Neil O’Keefe, Ray Stevens and Darren Arthur.
Former Footscray footballer Neil Sachse will return to the Kennel on Monday, 19 November to view the ever-changing redevelopment and formalise a partnership between his Foundation, The Neil Sachse Foundation, and the Western Bulldogs.
Sachse created the Neil Sachse Foundation following a tragic accident at Whitten Oval during a game in 1975 that left him a quadriplegic. His aim was to create a Foundation to operate as a centre of Excellence for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
Sachse’s return to the Western Bulldogs is part of the club’s goal to find all “lost dogs” out in the community who may have played for Footscray or supported the side back in the day.
2008 will see the $26M Whitten Oval redevelopment open with a Hall of Fame to follow in 2009 with a section of that Hall of Fame to be dedicated to Neil Sachse.
Western Bulldogs Chief Executive Campbell Rose said the partnership with the Neil Sachse Foundation was about embracing the past of the club and taking it into the new era.
“Neil Sachse is an example of what can be achieved if you believe it. This mirrors the values of the Western Bulldogs Football Club as we strive for excellence on and off the field. His Foundation has raised in excess of $2 million since 1994 providing groundbreaking research into new treatments for spinal cord injury that has the potential to return some lost function to humans,” he said.
“We are the community club of the AFL and to that end we want past supporters and players to re-join the fabric that makes up our club. Our Hall of Fame will reflect the rich past that we have had – both good and bad times – and highlight the successes we have achieved over the past few years. Those people should join us in celebrating that success.”
The Western Bulldogs formed a Heritage Committee in 2005 with two historians Ray Stevens and Darren Arthur, in order to achieve three goals; welcome back all of the “lost dogs” out there in the community, coordinate the return of the club’s memorabilia and historic items, and preserve the Club history.
Chairman of the Heritage Committee, Neil O’Keefe said “The heritage committee is about bringing back the past and taking it into the present through the proud history and heritage of the red, white and blue.”
“Having Neil Sachse return to the Oval, the site of his tragic accident, is a great example of bringing the past back to the oval into what’s going to be our wonderful new home boasting an outstanding display showcasing the history of this club,” O’keefe said.
Members of the Heritage Committee are: Brett Joseph, George Montebello, Glenys Jackson, Joe Azzopardi, Neil O’Keefe, Ray Stevens and Darren Arthur.