Pink round soaring to new heights

Sports Digest

Shaun Hollis

Journalist

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Pink in the Tropics vice-president Maria Atkinson, president Deborah Kachel, Crocs captain Ben McPhee, Raiders player Pete Gilmour and Crocs women’s captain Kaity McPhee are all involved in the pink round this Saturday at Port Douglas. Picture: Shaun Hollis

The Pink in the Tropics charity sports day in Port Douglas this weekend is promising to be the biggest one ever, with the Reef Raiders rugby club coming on board for a blockbuster home tripleheader with the Port Douglas Crocs men’s and women’s AFL sides.

The action kicks off at the Port Douglas Sports Complex at 10.30am on Saturday, May 10, with the Crocs women’s team up against bottom side Cairns Saints, with Crocs captain Kaity McPhee hopeful of a win in a round that is close to her heart.

“Personally, I’ve been affected by cancer as well in my family, but there’s so many in the community that have, and it’s awesome that we’re all rallying together and supporting the cause,” McPhee says.

“I think it brings a lot of unity to the club, the footy, the rugby, and just the community as well.”

The Crocs reserves team follows the women at 12.30pm, with the senior side after that against the Saints at 2.30pm.

And, after that game, fans can make the move over the back of the grandstands to the rugby ground, where the Reef Raiders will face the JCU Mariners from 5.15pm.

Raiders player Pete Gilmour says club members are excited to take part in the day for the first time, which includes an online charity auction of the one-off pink jerseys on their Facebook page.

“Our president Travis Gooch has done a lot of work, we’re stoked that the footy club’s come on board and allowed us to be part of the day,” he says.

“It’s awesome that the town can get around one big day and pay our respects to those affected by cancer, especially the lovely ladies involved in our lives and our footy careers.”

Pink in the Tropics president Deborah Kachel has welcomed the rugby club with open arms.

“I guess that we’re really excited this year that the union’s come in to be part of it as well because the AFL’s been running it for a number of years,” she says.

“For us it means we can provide more services for our women that are affected, as well as men, and also to support our local medical centre the Mossman Hospital.”

For more details go to pinkinthetropics.org.

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