Hockeyroos to go Pink for Breast Cancer during Champions Trophy

The Hockeyroos have launched Pink Ladies Day - July 12th during the Champions Trophy wear they will wear Pink bodysuits in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

News released: 17/06/2009

The Hockeyroos will be pretty in pink at the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy - Women 2009 Sydney tournament when they wear full pink uniforms to mark their charity partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

With the Champions Trophy running from 11-19 July, the Hockeyroos will celebrate 'Pink Ladies Day' on Sunday 12th July during their match against Argentina by wearing full pink bodysuits. This will be the first time any Australian national team has completely altered their official team uniform for charity.

The creation of Pink Ladies Day was made possible thanks to the support of the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), a key initiative of Curtin University of Technology.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University, Professor Jill Downie, said she was very pleased to be able to support the Hockeyroos and the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Pink Ladies Day.

"Research into cancer treatments and prevention is a key portfolio of the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI). Chronic diseases such as cancer pose the greatest challenge to the wellbeing of Australians and we are delighted to be able to join with the Hockeyroos and NBCF to promote awareness," Professor Downie said.

In addition to the Hockeyroos wearing pink uniforms, Pink Ladies Day will also be an opportunity for spectators to contribute to breast cancer research, with pink NBCF merchandise available and a signed pink bodysuit up for auction after the game. The International Hockey Federation will also be providing pink shirts for the umpires to wear in support of the day.

The purpose of Pink Ladies Day is to create awareness of the tireless work undertaken by the NBCF and to raise funds for breast cancer research. Hockey Australia Chief Executive Mark Anderson said he is proud to be aligned with such a worthy organisation.

"This is the first time that the Hockeyroos have worn an outfit that is not the official Australian team colours. As such, it's a very important decision that we have not taken lightly as an organisation and as a team. We spoke to the Hockeyroos to ensure that they were comfortable with this decision. The Hockeyroos have supported the position fully as they are aware of the importance of breast cancer as a health issue for all Australian women. We are delighted to partner NBCF and hope that our association assists in some way to raise awareness and fight this disease, said Anderson

Anderson said the partnership was fitting due to the Hockeyroos' presence as one of Australia's most recognisable sporting team.

"More often than not, the Hockeyroos are associated with winning and success due to our remarkable history. On this occasion we are pleased to be associated with something beyond the hockey pitch. Breast cancer can affect women and families at all levels of the community, including elite athletes," said Anderson.

Sue Murray, CEO of the NBCF, encourages all sports fans to get behind the Hockeyroos on Pink Ladies Day. "We're thrilled that the Hockeyroos will be playing in pink to raise awareness of breast cancer research. With one in nine women expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime, it's vital that we keep funding research into the prevention and cure of the disease. Research has shown that regular exercise can decrease the risk of breast cancer, so this partnership also sends a message to the community to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle."

The Champions Trophy is the most prestigious annual hockey event on the 2009 international calendar.

As the first major international event since the Beijing Olympics, the Women's Champions Trophy will mark the beginning of a new era for the Hockeyroos, with Anderson encouraging all sports fans to get behind the team in Sydney.

"There is a sense of anticipation as we start our next Olympic campaign in the same city where we ultimately tasted our last Olympic success at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. I would encourage everyone to treat themselves to some world class hockey on home soil," said Anderson.

Read the story in today's Daily Telegraph