Cello and The Salvation Army Bring Football Joy
A day of football turned into a day of celebration as Cello partnered with The Salvation Army to gift Wellington Phoenix tickets to clients from our Newtown Centre. It was an unforgettable experience for those facing hardship.
For many of us, a Saturday at the football is a simple pleasure, a chance to cheer, laugh, and escape the everyday. But for some, those moments feel out of reach. On 29 November, thanks to Cello and The Salvation Army, that changed for a group of our clients from the Newtown Centre, who were gifted an unforgettable experience at the Wellington Phoenix vs Adelaide United match.
Sky Stadium was alive with colour and sound. Fans in yellow and black lined the stands, chanting for the Phoenix as anticipation built for kick-off. For our special VIP guests, many of whom are navigating tough times, this wasn’t just a football match, it was a rare chance to relax, smile and feel part of something bigger.
These clients are among the people we walk alongside every day, families facing food insecurity, individuals struggling to find stable housing and those working hard to rebuild their lives after addiction. Entertainment is often the first thing to go when budgets are tight. A day out at the football? Almost impossible.
That’s why this partnership matters. By opening their corporate box and gifting tickets, Cello gave more than seats at a game, they gave dignity, joy and a sense of belonging. For a few hours, hardship was replaced with excitement. Conversations flowed, laughter filled the room and the cheers from the stands reminded everyone that community is powerful.
Eight-year-old Liam couldn’t stop grinning as he watched his heroes warm up on the pitch. ‘I’ve never been to a big game here before,’ he said, wearing his new Phoenix jersey. ‘I want to play for them one day.’
His dad, Jason, admitted that life has been tough lately. ‘Money’s tight and things like this just aren’t possible for us. To see Liam this happy, it means the world,’ he said before the game. ‘I don’t even care if we win!’
For Alec, a lifelong football fan who received budgeting advice from one of our financial mentors, the experience was beyond anything he imagined. ‘I never dreamed I’d sit in a corporate box,’ he said, looking out over the pitch with a grin. ‘Things have been tough, but The Salvation Army helped me get back on track. To be here today—it’s something I’ll never forget.’
About Cello
Cello is a New Zealand-owned telecommunications and network solutions provider, known for designing secure, high-performing connectivity for businesses nationwide. Their mission is simple, Connecting business, connecting communities, connecting people. It isn’t just words. It’s lived out through initiatives like this. By partnering with Sky Stadium and The Salvation Army, Cello shows that technology and compassion can work hand in hand to make a difference.
Every day, The Salvation Army provides practical help and hope to thousands across Aotearoa. In Newtown, the wider Wellington area, and beyond, our teams deliver food support through foodbanks and initiatives like Te Kai Mākona, ensuring families don’t go hungry. We help people find safe, stable accommodation through emergency and transitional housing, and we offer financial mentoring to guide individuals out of debt and toward independence. But rarely do I get to interact with the people who are actually affected by our programmes. On this occasion, football took centre stage, but for me, seeing the faces of children light up as the teams emerged was much more illuminating than any of the talent on show.
It reminded me that our services are a lifeline. But moments of joy—like Saturday’s game—are just as vital. They show people that they are valued, seen and part of a community that cares. For me it was a privilege to witness these moments firsthand. It was more than a photo opportunity; it was a glimpse of what generosity looks like in action.
On the pitch, the Phoenix delivered a thrilling 2 to1 victory. The home side struck early when captain Alex Rufer powered home from a corner in the 13th minute, before Ramy Najjarine coolly converted a penalty in the 52nd to make it 2 to 0. Adelaide thought they had a lifeline with a penalty call, but it was overturned after review. They eventually grabbed a late consolation through Joey Garuccio in the 74th minute, setting up a tense finish—but the Phoenix held firm to claim all three points.
Saturday’s match was a win in more ways than one. It showed what happens when organisations unite for good, when a tech company and a social service provider work together to create experiences that matter. For our guests, it was a day of joy. For Cello, it was a chance to see the impact of their support. And for me, it was a reminder that partnerships aren’t just about logos, they’re about lives.
