ANU Griffins and Gungahlin Jets AFL women competed for the Pink Footy Day cup last weekend.
Crowds gathered at ANU for the fifth annual Pink Footy Day saw Gungahlin Jets take out the cup in an event aimed at raising money for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).
President of Gungahlin Jets, Peter Kocmar, said: “Pink Footy Day is all about breast cancer. We all have someone affected by breast cancer”.
“So it’s really an important day to raise money and raise awareness,” he said.
President of ANU Griffins, Caitlin Roy, said: “We were lucky enough, five years ago, to have GWS Giants come down in their inaugural year and celebrate the first ever pink footy day between Gungahlin and ANU.”
“The tradition has lived on ever since,” she said.
Gungahlin Jets Women’s Assistant Coach Susan Cadman said: “Pink Footy Day is the highlight of our sporting calendar”.
“We usually play around Mother’s Day. We’re great friends, our clubs. We raise lots of money,” she said.
“Lots of people come down and it really is a great family day.“
Gungahlin Jets Women’s Coach Julian Clarkson said, “Pink Footy Day is a great way for clubs to bond together and it’s always played in good spirits.”
“It’s very rare that you have two teams that have a bond together in women’s football. We’ve formed a terrific relationship with ANU,” he said.
“We also play for the cup. It’s something we’ve held ever since I’ve been involved with the club and ever since pink footy day has been around.”
“It’s something I don’t want to lose in a hurry because it does mean a lot to us.”
“I’ve never had anybody close or in my family that has had breast cancer so [Pink Footy Day] makes me aware of the situations some families are put under as well.”
ANU Griffins Excellence in Sports Officer Anna Wilson said: “All the proceeds of our bake sale and our handball competition are going to support those affected by breast cancer”.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women,” Ms Wilson said.
“Every day in Australia, 42 women are told they have breast cancer and seven will lose their lives to the disease.”
Men can also be affected by breast cancer, with nationwide numbers increasing from 61 in 1982 to 113 in 2008.
A known genetic mutation or a strong family history accounts for approximately 5-10 per cent of breast cancer.
BCNA provides support, information, treatment and appropriate care to Australians personally affected by breast cancer.
ANU Griffin AFL player Karen Short also celebrated 100 games on the day.
Gungahlin Jets AFL Women unveil their 2016 Canberra AFL Women’s Division 1 Premiership Flag this Friday 12 May 2017 at 7:00 pm at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval when they play against Molonglo Juggernauts.
Photos and video by Doug Dobing. The second photo from the top is of ANU Griffins President Caitlin Roy and Gungahlin Jets Women’s Captain Rosie Pink with the cup.
Doug Dobing is a freelance journalist, public servant, photographer, SubjectACT presenter and producer on 2XXFM 98.3. You can find him on Twitter @DougDobing.
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