With so many netball players and fans around the country, it’s pretty special when elite teams use their profiles to spread important messages to the public. A long-standing partnership the NSW Swifts like to share is with The Kids’ Cancer Project.
The charity first teamed up with the Swifts in 2008 and has engaged the netball community every year to get involved and help raise vital funds and awareness for child cancer research.
Netball NSW and the charity’s biggest annual initiative is Crazy Hair & Sock Day, a time for all Clubs and Associations to get on the court in their brightest, most colourful hair and socks for an incredible cause.
In 2017, the NSW netball community raised a whopping $52,000, and the Swifts are super excited to lend a helping hand again and try to raise even more vital funds this year.
With much pride, Round 6 of Suncorp Super Netball, was dedicated to Swifts Official Charity Partner, The Kids’ Cancer Project.
One Swift who is extremely passionate about getting behind the initiative is captain Abbey McCulloch.
“I love The Kids’ Cancer Project,” she said. “It’s such an important charity and I’m so glad the Swifts are on board with them.”
“When you think about all the kids running around in the world there are those that do get sick and end up in hospital and sadly lose their lives. We want to help limit that as much as we can.”
“So as much as we can support them with the Crazy Hair & Sock Day and raising funds for them at our games and doing a bit of our own fundraising at events at Clubs and Associations around NSW – it’s all really important.”
“At the end of the day they’re helping to save lives and I think that’s just fabulous,” said McCulloch.
Head Coach, Briony Akle echoed the sentiments of her captain.
“There are wonderful people involved in netball and to see so many of them get out to try and raise funds for The Kids’ Cancer Project year in, year out is wonderful,” she said.
“I have been involved in netball in NSW for a long time and throughout that I have had the pleasure of seeing the amazing work that is done by The Kids’ Cancer Project.”
“Unfortunately the battle against childhood cancer is an ongoing one but when you see the passion people in the charity and in the wider community have for the fight you know things are going in the right direction.”
“At the NSW Swifts we are very fortunate to be able to play and coach elite sport for a living and that’s why myself and the players are so passionate about our Charity Round.”
“It is very important we do everything possible to help great causes such as this and I’d encourage all Clubs and Associations to get behind it by registering for Crazy Hair & Sock Days of their own.”
“It’s fun, keeps you active and is an amazing cause. That ticks a lot of boxes,” said Akle.
As the Swifts take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds, the girls will look to the crowd to see the Red Army get into the charity spirit with wild hair and silly socks!
How to get involved in Crazy Hair & Sock Day
The official date for this year’s Crazy Hair & Sock Day is Saturday June 16, however, Clubs and Associations can register for their own event at any time during 2018.
By signing up, all Associations registered will score a fundraising pack with promotional material and tips to help make the day a massive success.