It’s a match about so much more than winning or losing.

Each year, the Capital Football Charity Shield raises money for an organisation doing amazing things for the community.

This year, the chosen charity is Fortem Australia; a not-for-profit organisation providing mental health support to first responder families.

Captain of Canberra Croatia Football Club, Matthew Grbesa said the club has been fortunate enough to be part of the day for a few years now.

“Helping to raise money for charity is definitely a huge part of it for us,” Grbesa said.

“Everybody enjoys giving back to the community and especially for people who do put themselves on the front line for us.

“Hopefully we can put on a show for them.”

The defending NPL1 champions will be taking on the winners of the NPL2 competition, the Wagga City Wanderers.

“From the few games we did get a glimpse of, they look like a really formidable side, so it should be a tough game,” Grbesa said.

“It will be an interesting game. Just seeing the quality of that NPL2 and seeing which teams are going to be ready to step up and move into the NPL1.”

Wagga City Wanderers captain and goalkeeper Robert Fry said while they’re going into the competition as underdogs, they’ll be looking to disrupt the Croatian side.

“They’re a massive club and they’ll obviously have a lot of talent so it’s a pretty big deal for our club not having been around for too long and I guess being the underdogs last year as well. It’s a real privilege for us to play in the competition.

“We’re just really looking forward to the day.”

Fry is hoping the spectacle generates some generosity within the community, to help families doing it tough.

“I think that’s probably an area that’s neglected quite a bit, the mental health of first responders and their families,” he said.

“I think the funds going to Fortem Australia is fantastic.”

The men’s match kicks off at 4pm, followed by the women’s match at 6.30pm at Deakin Stadium.