Wearing my heart on my sleeve…

Bulldogs VS Eels Match Day, Friday 13th July 2013 – Doltone House

The lead up to the game was ever so exciting, yet symbolic both personally and professionally at the same time.

It started with Zap’s interview leading into the game about the big ‘re-signing’ announcement that Doltone House had re-signed for another 12 months in 2013! The interview was a chance to engage with Bulldogs’ fans as the ‘real people’ behind the sleeve sponsorship, not just the brand.
The rival round between the Bulldogs and the Eels would see Doltone House replace their sleeve for that of the Biaggio Signorelli Foundation (honouring the late Founder of Doltone House Group). A Foundation in aid of Asbestos Cancer and aimed at finding earlier detection, diagnosis and treatment of this deadly disease.

Once the message was announced, an influx of ‘well done’ wishes flooded our social mediums along with the general well wishes of an initiative that has been taken as a serious commitment to a cause and social responsibility by three siblings and owners of Doltone House, Paul, Nina and Anna who set up the Foundation honouring their later father. Along with the invaluable support and acknowledgment from good friend and Captain Mick Ennis, the inspirational Des Hasler and talented CEO Todd Greenberg, it was all shaping up to be a great week.

Game day was a highlight indeed! We arrived to a stadium of some 30,000 in attendance. Shivers ran down my spine as the players took the field with Dad’s name on their sleeve and it appeared on the large stadium screens. Then the flurry of text messages from friends, family, relatives, staff and the like as it happened, being a televised match. “Wow guys, your dad would be so proud, the sleeve looks great, good on you guys!” It meant so much. So many memories, short term and long term and aspirations for what the Foundation could achieve in the future, now having committed almost $1m to research in just under 4 years. The shorts patch was a bonus as Barba strode the length of the field to score a superb try and the cameras zoomed in and focused on not only him but the many players he had in support.

Full time and it was 32-12! We had the privilege of taking the field and taking a photo with the entire team and the Bandaged Bear Cup Trophy. The grass was dewy and the sounds a muffled distant blur, but ever so exciting. We absorbed the atmosphere of the die-hard fans that remained for the presentation and exited the tunnel as victors, not just winners of the game, but winners at heart for Dad’s Foundation. It was a great honour indeed!

We thanked the players personally for their efforts on and off the field in acknowledging Doltone House not only as a valued Major Sponsor but also for their support of the Foundation and it’s personal meaning to us. “It was game day and game on, Black Friday, no way,…it was a lucky day for us!”

We look forward to the next few weeks…sitting on top of the ladder is a nice feeling isn’t it? Bring on the weekend, bring on the footy!
Anna Cesarano

Director/Owner – Doltone House