'Greatest footy club raffle' a lifesaver for SANFL teams SANFL general manager Leigh Whicker, right, with president John Olsen. THE SANFL plans to raise $1.5 million from a monster raffle this season that will be injected into the coffers of community footy clubs. Launched at the Ironbank Football Club last night, the project dubbed "the greatest footy club raffle of all time" also aims to help struggling SANFL clubs stay afloat. Major prizes include a $565,000 fully furnished home donated by Lifestyle SA, a new Ford Territory, $10,000 cash and a holiday to Phuket. A total of $5 from every $10 ticket sold will go directly to the football club nominated by the buyer. They can choose any football club in the state, with the exception of the two AFL sides. Tickets can be bought in person at footy clubs or online at www.sanfl.com.au/raffle. SANFL community football board chairman David Shipway said every community football club in the state could benefit from the project. Central District legends Chris and James Gowans conducted a coaching clinic at the Ironbank Football Club yesterday, where the SANFL's monster raffle was launched. "It's a fantastic opportunity for them to not only survive but to grow in difficult economic times," Mr Shipway said. And we're very grateful to Lifestyle SA for being supportive in ... providing the grand prize. Shipway's comments were echoed by SANFL executive commissioner Leigh Whicker, who said the initiative presented an opportunity for clubs to benefit without having to carry the costs usually associated with a raffle. "The rewards for South Australian football will be enormous with $1.5 to be distributed throughout the football community with the bulk of that money going into development of the game at grass-roots level," Mr Whicker said. The SANFL has had a huge amount of support from our corporate partners to make this possible and we anticipate that football communities around the state will jump on board and make this one of the most successful initiatives the league has undertaken. Lifestyle SA general manager Stephen Norris said that the company was thrilled to support the initiative. "Many of our Lifestyle Village residents across the state have a particularly strong affection for local footy having grown up during the SANFL glory days of the 1960s, '70s and '80s, so we're really pleased to partner the league and do our bit to support grassroots footy in SA," Mr Norris said. The SANFL chose Ironbank to host yesterday's launch because it typified the club which stands to benefit from the raffle. Among those expected to attend the launch were retired AFL stars Tony Modra, Andrew McLeod and Barnaby French, Central District premiership heroes Chris and James Gowans and South Adelaide Magarey Medallist Joel Cross.