Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)’s annual Pink Footy & Netball Day is back – and this year it’s going national! This Mother’s Day weekend (12–13 May 2012) local football and netball clubs across Australia will be turning HOT PINK to show their support for, and pay tribute to, women and families from their local communities who have been affected by breast cancer.
Every registered club will receive a free event pack including Pink Lady tattoos, balloons and decorations to help ‘pink-up’ their club!
Clubs can also purchase pink merchandise items such as pink footballs and netballs, pink socks, pink arm tape and pink shoelaces to help their teams make a real statement! All proceeds from merchandise sales go directly to BCNA, and many clubs choose to raise funds by hosting fundraising activities such as sausage sizzles, raffles and auctions.
BCNA is the peak national organisation that supports Australians affected by breast cancer, and represents a membership of over 67,000 people. Funds raised through Pink Footy & Netball Day go directly to BCNA to support their work in informing, supporting and linking together women living with breast cancer.
Pink Footy Day (now Pink Footy & Netball Day) was established by the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) in partnership with BCNA in 2009. The aim was to build a state based campaign that would encourage country football clubs and leagues to support women and families throughout regional and rural Victoria on the difficult breast cancer journey.
Pink Footy & Netball Day has gone from strength to strength since the campaign’s conception three years ago, raising more than $370,000 to directly support women and families affected by breast cancer.
In 2012, Pink Footy & Netball Day will be run nationally for the first time – allowing more clubs than ever before to turn pink and get involved!
Jock Allan, Communications and Events Manager at VCFL, says the weekend provides an opportunity for clubs to recognise the women of their club, fundraise and distribute information about breast cancer support.
“What we have seen in three years has been remarkable – not only have we raised a significant amount of money to support information and services for regional women, but we have created a meaningful way that clubs can get together in celebration and remembrance of the women in their club and community,” Jock said.
Maxine Morand, BCNA CEO and breast cancer survivor, agreed that it’s important that women in communities around Australia know they’re not going through this journey alone.
“Footy and netball clubs are a central part of many communities. More than 14,000 Australian women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. It’s so important that these women who are our friends, sisters, wives, mothers and daughters know that their community is there to support them,” Maxine said.
Jock added however, that Pink Footy & Netball Day is not just about supporting the women diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Families and friends go through their own difficult journey when their partner, mother or friend is undergoing treatment, recovering, and beyond. It is important to support those who support our women – and footy and netball clubs can do this by getting involved in Pink Footy & Netball Day,” Jock said.
Go to www.bcna.org.au/events to register your club for Pink Footy & Netball Day 2012!
