Updated February 25, 2022
Organisers have had to postpone a night of live music, comedy and a gala dinner to help raise funds for new training floodlights at the home of Waikato football club Matamata Swifts.
COVID-related restrictions around gatherings have meant the function will be postponed till a later date.
When it is re-arranged, football fans are invited to book single tickets or tables of 10 for the event set for the Matamata-Piako Civic and Merial Centre which was originally scheduled for Saturday March 5, 2022.
The Matamata Community Gala Dinner will benefit local charity the Pohlen Foundation Trust as well as the Swifts whose first team play in the WaiBOP Premiership.
The event’s entertainment will be headlined by comedian and impressionist, Simon McKinney (main photo, centre).
McKinney is New Zealand’s number one stand up character impressionist and a sought-after MC for live and corporate performances. He has travelled the world, performed at Edinburgh Festivals, across the UK, in the USA, around the Pacific, Asia, Antarctica, and even for troops in Afghanistan.
Music will be provided by the Elton John Tribute Band and Abbey Road Beatles Tribute Show, so there’s bound to be more than a few tunes to suit most people’s tastes.
A sports and entertainment charity auction will also be part of the mix on what promises to be an evening full of variety.
Faced with raising significant funds to install new training lights at the Matamata Domain, the Swifts decided to try something a little different.
Swifts president Dwayne Barlow: “The Gala Dinner idea came up as a way to help raise the money we need to achieve such a big-ticket project.
“Once we settled on the idea, we figured it had the potential to be an event that can bring our community together in a really fun way. Hopefully, it’s something that can go on to become an annual highlight.
“Having the Pohlen Foundation Trust on board as a charity that can also benefit from this event is a way we can give back to the community in multiple ways.
“Not only will the Domain evolve into a facility more groups than just football can enjoy, but we can also contribute to Pohlen Hospital, which is one of Matamata’s most vital resources.”
How to buy tickets
Click here to buy tickets for the gala dinner >>>>
Friends of Football members
If you are a member of Friends of Football and want to book tickets to the gala dinner, please email us here first for more information.
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