Army Jumps To Deliver AFL Match Ball

Army Jumps From Great Heights To Deliver AFL Match Ball

The Australian Army Parachute Team, the Red Berets, will descend upon the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) this Sunday, as part of the Sydney Swans annual commemoration to Australian war veterans.

Four members of the display team will jump out of a CASA 212 at over 4000 feet, to deliver the match ball for the AFL round 22 clash between the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn Hawks.

Celebrations will begin at 12.30pm and this year the AFL will pay tribute to Australian Defence Force peacekeepers who have been involved in overseas deployments for 60 years.

Australian war veterans and current peacekeepers are attending the game - they will be chauffeured to the SCG in Army Land Rovers before doing a lap around the ground.

As the cavalcade does its lap of honour, a video clip depicting peace keeping efforts will be shown on the big screens accompanied by the Army Band - Sydney.

At 12:54pm just moments before the main event, all eyes will be turned skyward, to watch the Army 'Red Beret' parachute team make their dramatic entry to deliver the ball for kick off.

Red Berets Team Leader Warrant Officer Class Two Ralf Jaeger considers it an honour to be part of such an event.

"It's great to see the Sydney Swans getting behind not only our war veterans but also the service personnel who have served overseas in various capacities," WO2 Jaeger said.

"We're privileged to be asked to deliver the match ball for this event in a manner sure to delight fans and bystanders."

Not only is this a highly entertaining experience for our war veterans and AFL fans, but it demonstrates the elite skill level and capability of the Australian Army.

ENDS

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