AIHL commemorates ANZAC Day with Soldier On

This Saturday marks the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC troops landing at Gallipoli.

It will be a day of celebration but also reflection and sadness for many people in our community who have dealt with the effects of war.

It is also the launch of the 2015 AIHL season and all three games on opening day will commemorate the ANZAC Day with our community partners Soldier On.

AIHL Commissioner Robert Bannerman said it wasn’t a deliberate plan to kick off the 2015 season on ANZAC Day, but it provides a perfect opportunity to continue the work the league has done with Soldier On over the past two seasons.

“When the scheduling ended up with the first weekend of the season on ANZAC Day, we embraced the added opportunity to commemorate Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations,” Bannerman said.

Despite the relative small size of the league, Bannerman said that this is a prime example of the positive impact the Australian Ice Hockey League and our fans can have on the local community.

“The Australian Ice Hockey League is committed to a positive social impact in communities where we live and play,” Bannerman said. “We team up to raise money, share ideas and best practices, inspire each other, while expanding the reach of what each of us can do on our own.

“Soldier On and their mission is particularly important to our players, partners, volunteers and fans. We all have family members and friends that served and we want to help support physically and psychologically wounded warriors. We will always have their backs.”

On April 25, the home teams from across the league will each be commemorating the day in different ways, including:

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Sydney Ice Dogs @ Melbourne Ice at Medibank Icehouse (Game time: 5pm)

• Hosting two Soldier On families and volunteers

• Soldier On client to drop the ceremonial puck

• Promotional video to be played

• Donation buckets to circulate during period break

Adelaide Adrenaline @ Newcastle North Stars at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium (Game Time: 5pm)

• Hosting several Soldier On families

Sydney Bears @ CBR Brave at Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre (Game time: 5.30pm)

• Hosting two Soldier On families and volunteers

• Cadets will participate in the ANZAC Day ceremony and ceremonial puck drop

• Donation buckets to circulate during period break

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And, if you can’t attend a game, you can still get involved by making a donation [hyperlinked], join an event [hyperlinked] and spread the word on social media [hyperlinked].

About Soldier On

Soldier On supports Australian service men and women who have been wounded, physically or psychologically in contemporary conflicts. This includes conflicts after 1990, as well as serving members who were wounded in training or other exercises and individuals working for other Government agencies (DFAT, AFP, Customs). They are not part of the RSL, Legacy or the Department of Veterans Affairs, but work with these organisations to support Australia’s young service men and women.

Soldier On does this in several different ways, in an effort to make a financial, physical and emotional link with those who have been wounded. The four areas they work to help – enhancing rehabilitation, adventurous events, community events, and employment and education.