The Illawarra Hawks have announced that for every ticket sold for Sunday’s pre-season game against arch rival the Sydney Kings at the WIN Entertainment Centre $5 will go to the Buy A Bale initiative with proceeds to be distributed to Illawarra and Southern NSW farmers.

Illawarra Hawks owner Simon Stratford said his family’s involvement in farming, equestrian and show jumping meant he knew how tough it was for farmers to get adequate feed and water for their stock at this time. 

“With horses, we are finding it hard to get feed and water, we sympathise with farmers who have 1000-plus head of cattle and we want to support them in during these times,” he said.

“The Illawarra community is very important to the Hawks including our local farmers.

“With farmers facing the driest spell in recent memory we feel using the Hawks/Kings game to raise funds and create further awareness of the farmers plight is our obligation to do something and something we are proud to do.”

The Hawks are also offering local registered farmers free tickets to the game.

“With budgets tightening during these times for farmers, it is the discretional spending like attending a game that usually gets cut first, so we would like to invite all registered Farmers to this game to enjoy a game night for free.” Hawks general manager Mat Campbell said.

Farmers should contact the Hawks’ front office on 4229 7722 to organise their tickets.

Tickets to the game are available to the public via Ticketmaster. Corporate packages are also still available for the game.

Tip-off for Sunday’s game, which will feature Kings star Andrew Bogut, is 3 pm.

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