Backyard Football League Australia’s state team will take on Reclink Victoria at 1pm on Sunday, July 5, at the historical Victoria Park, Collingwood (where Collingwood FC still train from time to time).

BLFA president Michael Butterick said the players head off on Friday under the leadership of Coach Nigel “Butch” Bottrall on this life experience.

“Many of the players have not been in a large plane, nor been to Melbourne, the MCG or Docklands and absolutely none of them have played at the home of Collingwood – so an action packed weekend is in store for them,” he said.

“On the Sunday they will arrive at the Collingwood Oval at 10.30 to support a curtainraiser game and then be presented with their State jumpers emblazoned with their nicknames on the back as a “cost recovery” keepsake.”

Players for the state team are those that have been eligible under the BLFA Rules, primarily in that they haven’t played in an A Grade premiership and haven’t played regular country footy in the last three years.

“We have a range of aged from 19 – 39 years of age even though some of our blokes need to go on “ten years younger in ten days” to meet the criteria,” Mr Butterick said,

“All up 21 players representing South Australia will take the field that have all been exposed to Backyard Footy in the Mid North in South Australia.

Mr Butterick said Reclink Vic, which has organized the game in Melboune, has similar ideals of opportunity as BLFA

“While they target disadvantaged people they do a lot of broad stuff aimed at providing opportunities for people that can’t access sport on a regular basis,” he said.

(Reclink Victoria are also famous for having organized the “Choir of Hard Knocks” during recent years)

Mr Butterick is hoping BLFA can reciprocate Reclink Vic next year for a state game in Adelaide and continue with state games on an annual basis.