by Panther Pack » Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:31 pm
International winemaker Wolf Blass has put his money where his heart is at SANFL club Norwood
Michelangelo Rucci, Chief Football Writer, The Advertiser
TODAY, if one of the SA-based AFL clubs was to announce a $1 million cash sponsorship, there would be a show.
Port Adelaide, as it did on signing French carmaker Renault in 2013, likes to be different to the point of organising a theme-based production on the MCG.
Crows chairman Rob Chapman, as he made known last year after BHP put big dollars into Adelaide’s AFLW campaign, would expect a big headline on Page 3 of The Advertiser.
But — as a sign of the times — when it happens in the SANFL, there is no grand reaction ... not even disbelief with the suggestion someone has typed too many zeros on the press release.
And there would be many who would doubt that sort of money would be pushed into SANFL coffers when the corporate world is more fascinated the AFL’s five-ring circus that has saturated public attention.
South Australia’s famous international winemaker Wolf Blass recently has become frustrated with how much time is passing in his wait to see the turning of the soil for the footings to the long-awaited new club house on The Parade for his beloved Norwood Football Club.
As proven by Blass’ record in trying to win the Melbourne Cup horse race, such impatience inevitably has him pull out his wallet in the hope money solves every problem.
Blass has put $1 million of his money on the table to make the project — that will carry his name — become a reality this year, the Redlegs’ 140th anniversary season.
Norwood Football Club leaders certainly understood what was meant by Blass doubling his original commitment of $500,000.
“Wolf Blass’ support and contribution will play an enormous role in facilitating the much anticipated development,” says Norwood chief executive James Fantasia.
This means: “Wolf is making sure this building is built — and very soon.”
Blass made this even clearer by saying: “I trust this continued support will encourage the council to start the project and provide additional financial support to ensure this great club can once again enjoy a social club environment that embraces its community and where people can continue to build friendships and camaraderie.”
As the Crows learn from some of its members and fans how much they miss “The Shed” from Football Park in the move to Adelaide Oval, Blass’ remarks about the importance of a social club to a football club echo well beyond The Parade.
Blass, now 83, is leaving many “legacies” around his great loves in SA. There is his wine museum reaching its opening at Hahndorf (with the town’s original school building preserved in the new structure).
And now there is to be a modern clubhouse at Norwood Oval. Every other SANFL club would wish it had a Wolf Blass ... Even some AFL clubs would savour a benefactor prepared to write million-dollar cheques.
This one act of extraordinary generosity to an SANFL club that does indeed deserve attention usually reserved to AFL franchises.