The first-prize winner in the record-breaking 2023 Hyundai Community Football Raffle collected his car this week.
Dianella man Ian Payn was accompanied by wife Sharon and children Lewis, 9, and Serena, 7, as he drove off in a brand-new Hyundai Tucson Elite N Line Turbo, valued at $51,655.
“I’m delighted and surprised, I didn’t expect to win anything,” Ian said after picking up his prize at Hyundai Morley dealership.
Ian bought the winning ticket from Dianella Spartans FC, which earned the club a bonus prize of $2,500.
The annual Hyundai Community Football Raffle sees West Australian football clubs and associations retain 100% of funds raised from ticket sales. This year they kept an incredible $297,384, while the bonus prize money lifted the amount grassroots football benefited by to more than $300,000.
“I really appreciate Football West and Hyundai and what they’re trying to achieve,” Ian added.
Dianella Spartans president Eva Nestoriadis said the prize money would go towards buying new equipment for the junior club, which is a part of St Andrew’s Grammar School.
Morley Windmills sold the ticket for second prize, a VIP Experience for eight guests in the Hyundai Hospitality Suite at RAC Arena, worth $2,400. Winner Kristy Davis has indicated she will use it to watch US rock band blink-182 when they visit Perth in February 2024.
Morley Windmills treasurer Rob Cornel, who represented Kristy, said: “It’s great for clubs and the community and we encourage everyone to get involved.”
Also present at Hyundai Morley were Fremantle City president Tony Estrano, whose club sold the most tickets overall (worth $30,022), and Bayswater City vice-president Rocco Maio, whose club sold most tickets online (worth $22,476). Both clubs received a $2,500 bonus prize.
Cassie Barton from Geraldton, who nominated Abrolhos FC, landed the third prize of a VIP Experience for four guests in the Hyundai Hospitality Suite at RAC Arena. This is valued at $1,200.
Hyundai Australia Regional General Manager Michael Beros said: “We love our partnership with Football West, it’s all about the grassroots and giving back to the community. The feedback I get from the clubs is just phenomenal – they love the fact that 100% of proceeds go back to their club.”
The Hyundai Community Football Raffle began in 2019 and Hyundai has provided around $800,000 in cash and prizes to grassroots football in WA.
Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell said: “The Hyundai Community raffle continues to be a great thing for our clubs to fundraise. We value greatly this partnership with Hyundai. Michael Beros challenged us at the start of the year to break $300,000 and with the bonus prize money, we did that. We’re looking forward to an even bigger year in 2024.”
