Former champion West Coast Eagles cook up a storm in Foodbank WA kitchen for Meal Makers fundraiser

They may have decades of professional football prowess between them, but these former West Coast Eagles players showed they also have what it takes to cook up a storm.

The Foodbank WA kitchen hosted the talented former players for the Meal Makers fundraiser, where they stepped into the shoes of Foodbank clients to shop for and create a nutritious meal.

Eagles chief executive and dual premiership winner Don Pyke (1992 and 1994), Brownlow medallist and inaugural Eagles captain Ross Glendinning and 1992 premiership player Dwayne Lamb showed their experience in the cooking challenge.

They were joined by former Essendon and West Coast player Michael Prior, who is the club’s head of game development and participation, 2018 premiership midfielder Mark Hutchings, 2006 premiership teammates Sam Butler and Beau Waters, and former players Kasey Green and Brayden Ainsworth.

Mr Prior said the club had been partners with Foodbank since 2013 and collaborated each year on how they could increase awareness of the charity’s important work supporting families in need.

“Throughout the year, our club regularly volunteer time working at Foodbank’s headquarters, packing food, cooking meals, and generally doing anything we can to support this important cause,” he said.

“This year we decided to invite our past players to volunteer their time. We were delighted by the positive response. Giving back is in the West Coast Eagles’ DNA and we regularly see this in action working alongside great charities like Foodbank.”

The Meal Makers fundraiser calls on corporate teams to navigate the challenges of budgeting and shopping for meals before cooking it up with the help of a chef.

Money raised will help the charity expand access to in-person financial wellbeing support for clients at its Perth Airport and Mandurah branches, with early financial support aimed at helping people better manage their circumstances.

Mr Prior said Foodbank chief executive Kate O’Hara and her team “do an outstanding job” but “sadly the demand on their services continues to grow with new families reaching out for help”.

“West Coast Eagles players, staff and members are humble and proud to highlight the role Foodbank performs to put food on their tables,” he said.

Foodbank’s head of fundraising and partnerships Ian de Nazareth said they were delighted to have the “elite group of past players” join corporate partners and volunteers in the annual event.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere as everyone came together to prepare meals for Western Australians experiencing food insecurity, and the involvement of the Eagles alumni added an extra level of energy and excitement to the day,” he said.

“Judging by their performance in the kitchen, we suspect they had spent some time trialling recipes and sharpening their culinary skills before the event.