Community cricket clubs turn pink for the McGrath Foundation

Hundreds of community cricket clubs across Australia will become a part of the Pink Test phenomenon and participate in Pink Stumps Day on 19 February 2011, an initiative by the McGrath Foundation and Cricket Australia.

Off the back of what was a highly successful third annual Pink Test in Sydney, local cricket clubs are being given the opportunity to experience a little of the magic of this national event within their local communities, while raising funds for the McGrath Foundation.

Chairman and Co-Founder of the McGrath Foundation Glenn McGrath believes that Pink Stumps Day is a fantastic initiative that will enable local communities to participate in the spirit, energy and worthwhile cause of the Sydney Pink Test.

“Every year, we get asked how local communities can get involved in the international phenomenon that is the Sydney Pink Test. In 2011, Pink Stumps Day is something I am really excited about and looking forward to because we just see so much potential in it.

“The reality is that it’s thanks largely to support just like this from people right across the country that we have been able to take our McGrath Breast Care Nurse numbers from four just two and a half years ago to now 61 locations across Australia, supporting some 6500 Australian families, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come. However, we are very aware that there are still families and communities out there that would really benefit from the support of one of our amazing nurses and it is for this reason, and in Jane’s memory, that we are continuing to press on,” Glenn said.

CEO of Cricket Australia James Sutherland is highly supportive of Pink Stumps Day as an opportunity for local communities to help support a worthy national cause and strengthen the partnership between Cricket Australia and the McGrath Foundation.

“I urge cricket fans across the country to think pink and make a contribution to the work of the McGrath Foundation by getting involved in the inaugural Pink Stumps Day.

“This is one simple way cricket fans can help strengthen the friendship between Cricket Australia and the McGrath Foundation and extend the support for Australian families experiencing breast cancer,” James said.

The 800 clubs who register for the event will receive a free Pink Stumps Day Team Kit that includes McGrath Foundation pink stumps and set of bails, pink training safety cricket balls, pink wicketkeeper pads, pink playing caps and pink sew-on badges.

Clubs will be encouraged to invite friends and family to wear pink on the day, and arrange fundraising activities such as a gold coin donation sausage sizzle, a pink food stall and face painting, as well as having volunteers roam the field with collection tins for donations. All proceeds from the day will be donated to the McGrath Foundation to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia and increase breast awareness in young women.

Every registrant club will also go into the draw to have a legendary Australian cricketer the likes of Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist attend their Pink Stumps Day.

Clubs can now register to participate in Pink Stumps Day and receive their Pink Stumps Team Kit Bag at www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/pink-stumps-day. Registration closes 28 January 2011.