The opportunity to have their name on Nat Fyfe’s no. 7 locker sparked a bidding frenzy among guests during an auction at the Fremantle Dockers Ball at Crown Perth on Saturday night.
The auction, which was held in support of the Fremantle Dockers Foundation, also included a 2016 AFL Brownlow Medal package, a 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final package for two and recognition rights for player lockers at the club’s new home base at Cockburn Central West.
But it was the opportunity to secure the recognition rights for Nat Fyfe’s locker for the next 10 years that generated the most interest, with bidding kicking off at a modest $3000.
But after auctioneer Darren McAullay revealed that Fyfe had earlier told him he would be thrilled if the prized auction item could secure $10,000 for the foundation, a string of bids from tables throughout the Grand Ballroom saw offers quickly hit the $15,000 mark.
It then became a war of attrition as bidding headed towards $30,000, with just two tables left frantically making counter offers before McAullay’s hammer came down at $35,000.
The successful bidders were Ian and Silvana Ricciardi.
The Ricciardis are inaugural Fremantle members and Harbour Masters, with the family business, Ricciardi Seafoods & Cold Stores, also being a long time corporate partner of the club and supporter of the Fremantle Dockers Foundation.
“We have been with the club right from the beginning and we are incredibly proud to be associated with the Fremantle Dockers now and in the future,” Ian Ricciardi said.
“The auction was a great opportunity to support the Fremantle Dockers Foundation and the important work it does both on and off the field.
Bid on the 2016 Fremantle Dockers online auction
“Nat Fyfe is a champion of the game who has already made a tremendous contribution to the club, so to have the Ricciardi family name on Nat’s locker at the new facility at Cockburn is a great thrill and a privilege.”
The auction raised more than $145,000 for the Fremantle Dockers Foundation, which was established in June 2015 to support the important on and off field work of the club.
It has four key pillars:
- Community engagement (through Community Goals and Charity Partnerships)
- Elite performance and sustained on-field success
- Pathway and development programs for aspiring athletes
- Securing the club’s future
Donations to the foundation are made in support of the following:
- The development of the club’s new elite training and administration facility at Cockburn Central West.
- The club’s Community Goals program, which provides the opportunity for 100,000 school aged children to take part in health, wellbeing and mentoring programs each year.
- Support for key charities through the Friends of the Foundation program, including the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Redkite, Uni Camp for Kids, Esther Foundation, Ngala, Ronald McDonald House, The Big Issue, Yirra Yaakin, Starkick All Abilities Footballers and Constable Care Child Safety Foundation.
- Provision of merchandise, game tickets and support to more than 300 other fundraising initiatives and causes across WA.
By supporting the foundation you can help the Fremantle Dockers make a positive impact both on and off the field.
