The call to action for AFL fans is part of the Anzac Day ‘Message to the Troops’ service, a partnership between Telstra and the Australian Defence Force. It is hoped an unprecedented 30,000 messages of support will be sent to Australian troops in 2011.
“The Essendon and Collingwood game at the MCG is a great Anzac Day tradition and the Message to the Troops service provides a wonderful opportunity for AFL fans to join me in sending our troops a text message or email,” Corporal Roberts-Smith said.
“If you’re planning on attending the game or watching the telecast, it only takes a few seconds to say thanks and remind them they have the nation’s support.”
To kick-start the “Message to the Troops” campaign, 40 players from the Bombers and Magpies have signed a personal and heartfelt message of support on their playing guernsey. These signed guernseys have been sent to troops serving in Afghanistan and East Timor.
Essendon captain Jobe Watson and Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell said it is an honour and privilege to play for the troops on Anzac Day.
“To all our troops serving overseas and at home, thank you for the sacrifices that you make to allow us to enjoy the democratic beliefs that we as a nation hold so dear to us,” Watson said.
“It’s a great privilege to play for the troops on Anzac Day and we take great inspiration from them out on the field,” Maxwell said.
Telstra CEO, David Thodey, said he is proud that Telstra’s partnership with the AFL could help connect AFL fans to ADF personnel around the world.
“On Anzac Day we stop to think of our hard working service men and women at home and around the world, and I am thrilled that through Telstra’s technology and people, we can help Australians go one step further and send a message of thanks to our troops,” Mr Thodey said.
AFL fans can send a ‘Message to the Troops’ right up to 11:00pm EST on Tuesday 26 April, via SMS on their mobile phone to 044 SUPPORT (0447 877 678) or by going to www.telstra.com/anzacday to email their support.
