music
Rory rocks at Reclink
By Anthea Skinner
The Reclink Community Cup is an annual institution in the world of Aussie Rules Football . Every year teams of musicians take on journalists in footy matches across the nation for bragging rights and to raise money to support disadvantaged Australians . This year , Rory Burnside , lead singer of Rudely Interrupted , was chosen to coach Melbourne ’ s Rockdogs . Rory , who is blind and has autism , spoke to Link music writer Anthea Skinner .
It was Rohan Brooks , Rudely Interrupted ’ s guitarist and manager , who first approached Rory about coaching the Rockdogs .
“ I ’ d never coached a footy side before , although I am a crazy Collingwood fan and absolutely love AFL . I jumped at the chance and said yes straight away ,” Rory said .
“ I never thought opportunities like coaching a footy side would be possible as a result of my musical life . It ’ s brought me so much more than I could perceive .”
Having never even played football before , Rory took his coaching preparations seriously .
“ Rohan helped me and we watched some YouTube clips from coaches ’ halftime addresses to the players and we went from there ,” he said .
Rory Burnside performs at the Reclink Community Cup , images courtesy Tameika Brumby .
“ We developed some phrases
“ To be accepted as artists and around inspiring the team to listen perform at the Community Cup was to each other and what we learned surreal , it felt like I was floating ,” quickly was their voices were the key Rory said . to strong communication for both the “ It was a big stage and we ’ ve team and me . played so many big stages over our
“( Musical artist ) Emily Ulman 12 years , the sound was awesome helped me with a drill that we put and the band sounded great . We together , it ’ s a simple drill but had ( Australian musician ) Ash Naylor requires a few steps and handballs come up and play a couple of songs pressuring the opponent .” on guitar and Kram from Spiderbait
Rory said the team bonded loved Smarter Than You Are . It was a really quickly . great party vibe .”
“ Because I can ’ t see , they
This year ’ s Melbourne Reclink understood that me hearing their Community Cup saw 10,000 people voices meant I could hear their through the gates and raised a intensity and communication ,” total of $ 170,000 . Funds raised
Rory said . through the Reclink Community Cup
“ They all learned each other ’ s support Reclink Australia ’ s work with names so the bond became stronger , disadvantaged communities across more quickly . I felt valued and
Australia . included and Rudely Interrupted
Reclink delivers specialist sport , performed at the Reclink Community recreation and arts programs for Cup so it was the best day of my life , people with disability and mental or very close to .” illness , people experiencing Rory successfully guided the homelessness and domestic Rockdogs to a 44 to 39-point victory violence , at-risk youth and those against the Megahertz . facing alcohol , gambling and
The match was played at substance addictions . Victoria Park , home to the Collingwood As well as Melbourne , there are Magpies and included a stadium-style Reclink Community Cup events in concert . Featured musicians included Hobart , Adelaide , Sydney , Fremantle Kutcha Edwards , The Aints !, Cable Ties and Brisbane . and of course , Rudely Interrupted . www . communitycup . com . au
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