This Sunday, 14th Jan, the Sydney Flames will team up with the Sydney Kings for a “Pink Hoops” double header match, with all money raised going to the McGrath Foundation.
Lead Image: Jo Hunter appears next to her son, Sydney Kings player Jordi Hunter.
The event comes just a week after Cricket Australia’s Pink Test raised more than $6.44m to support McGrath Breast Care Nurses nationwide. Sydney Flames’ inaugural Pink Game during the 2022-23 season raised more than $20,000 for the McGrath Foundation.
Both clubs will sport special pink jerseys while also turning Qudos Bank Arena pink for the afternoon.
Flames president Victoria Denholm is thrilled to see the event build on last year’s massive success at Quaycentre. “The Pink Game last season was crazy and hugely successful,” said Denholm, who believes the authenticity of the message cut through with the club’s fans and partners.
“The reception went beyond what I would have imagined, and I can’t wait to do it bigger and better this season,” Denholm said. “Further to that, I’m so excited that we can use our platform across both teams to grow on the success of last season’s Pink Game”.
“The Kings guys were all asking to get involved and support the Flames pink game last season – there was a big demand for the Flames’ McGrath Foundation pink shirts”.
𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐒 🩷
The Kings will team up with fellow Hoops Capital club, @TheSydneyFlames, for a ‘Pink Hoops’ double-header on Sunday, January 14 – with all money raised during the event going to partner, the @McGrathFdn.
📰: https://t.co/pru6o7TlpF#WeTheKings #NBL24 pic.twitter.com/CUhx5Dqze4
— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) July 11, 2023
The idea of the club’s first-ever Pink Game was developed by former Flames point guard Tiana Mangakahia – who recently retired from the sport after being re-diagnosed with breast cancer. “The support and money raised for the McGrath Foundation was more than I expected, so it was just such an honour to be a part of it and to help raise awareness,” Mangakahia said.
“To hear the club is planning an even bigger event next season, alongside the Kings, is incredible and I honestly hope it helps bring more awareness to this disease”.
“I also hope my journey gives those going through it hope that there can be a light at the end of their tunnel – which is why initiatives like this are vitally important”.
But it isn’t just Mangakahia that the event holds significance for. The Pink Hoops games will also allow the club to celebrate the resilience of Kings legend Jordi Hunter’s mother, Jo – who is a breast cancer survivor.
Hunter admits breast cancer has had a significant impact on his life and is proud that his club is making strides to help assist families dealing with this disease.
“Breast cancer has affected so many of our family members, and continues to affect the women in our family as they go through the rigours of regular check-ups and genetic testing to mitigate risk and understand the disease,” Hunter said.
“It’s very meaningful that the Kings and Flames are striving to play a part in bringing awareness to breast cancer – it’s a disease that has impacted countless families in Australia and around the world”.
McGrath Foundation ambassador and director Tracy Bevan explained how her breast cancer support charity was thrilled to be involved once again with the club. “It’s the McGrath Foundation’s goal to fund 250 McGrath Breast Care Nurses by 2025 as we work towards our mission of ensuring that no one misses out on care,” Bevan said.
“Events like this are truly helping us to make a difference and move towards that goal; we couldn’t do it without you”.
Denholm added that her club was excited to continue its partnership with the McGrath Foundation, which she hopes to build for years to come.
“We are a community-oriented club, and as the only professional women’s basketball team in NSW, we have a platform to raise awareness and have an impact across issues that resonate with our club,” she said.
“Knowing Tiana’s story and what she is currently going through – the impact of nurses at your biggest time of need is unforgettable, and it’s great that we can help their initiative”.
