AN ICE challenge is tough enough, but to do one on Eglinton Oval, on a winter evening as dusk falls, is probably as bad as it gets.
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But that’s exactly what seven coaches and managers from the Eglinton Eels did on Thursday night, all in the name of charity.
Ice challenges have gained momentum on social media, and the Eglinton Eels decided to get in on the action to raise money for injured rugby league junior Curtis Landers, who sustained spinal injuries in a league match at Port Macquarie earlier this year.
An ice challenge is when you pour a (big) bucket of ice water over yourself while someone captures it on film.
Once you’ve completed it you then challenge someone else and, if they don’t accept the challenge, they donate $100 to a charity.
Thursday’s ice challenge, which raised almost $600, was organised by Shane Earsman who, after being challenged by a friend, thought it would be a great idea to do a club challenge
“I thought it would be good to get the club involved so I put out a challenge to all the managers and coaches,” he said. “They accepted it, and I thought ‘let’s make this something more than a backyard challenge’, so we did it after training.”
Mr Earsman said the kids paid $5 to pour freezing water over their coach.
He described the experience as “like getting hit in the face with a cricket bat”.
“My face started hurting instantly, it literally took my breath away,” he said.
After a couple of buckets, Mr Earsman said he’d had enough.
“I was hurting,” he laughed. “But Darren Powyer and Doug Martinez, they were machines. I couldn’t believe how they just kept lining up.”
After thawing out, Mr Earsman said he was glad the club rose to the challenge.
He has now issued a challenge to other junior league clubs to match or better their fundraising for Curtis Landers. He said anyone wanting to make a donation to the Eglinton Eels fundraiser for Curtis Landers could do so by contacting him on 0416460718.
