WHEN the Peel Thunderbirds take to the field this weekend, it will be in honour of their biggest fan, Madi Molloy.
Sadly, Madi lost her long fight against brain cancer on Wednesday.
The Thunderbirds considered her one of the family, and will pay tribute to her memory in their reserves and league matches against Swan Districts at Bendigo Bank Staidum on Sunday.
Thunderbirds president Ann Fenton said the team was in mourning after losing it’s brightest supporter, but would do their best to honour Madi.
“She was only 12-years-old, but you would think she’d lived a lifetime,” Fenton said.
“The way she spoke was so mature, and she could stop and capture the entire room when she was talking to the girls.
"She was the reason they played so hard, and will continue to be that reason.”
The stadium will undergo a minute of silence before both the reserves and league matches, and all attendants of the game are asked to wear Madi’s favourite colours of pink, teal or purple.
Photos to honour Madi will be shown on the digital scoreboard, while players will wear hot pink armbands and ribbons in their hair.
Fenton said the Molloy family will be in attendance at the match, showing their support for the Thunderbirds.
“The family coming down really means a lot to us,” she said.
“We offer our condolences to them and having them there for us will really help the girls.”
A raffle will be held on the day, with all funds raised going to the Molloy family to help for funeral and outstanding medical costs.
The reserves game begins at 12pm with the league game following at 2pm.
