The South Mandurah and Pinjarra football clubs will bring skin cancer awareness into the spotlight and honour a number of club legends when they host their annual Steve Bazzo Cup this Sunday.
Both clubs have been personally touched by melanoma and will join forces to raise awareness of the deadly disease when they meet at Falcon Oval.
Melanoma survivor and South Mandurah life member Clint Heal pioneered the annual event.
Heal was diagnosed with skin cancer during his time at Peel Thunder in 2005, and founded Melanoma WA as a means of supporting sufferers in 2008.
Along with the support of both football clubs, Heal helped start the annual tradition more than five years ago.
“The support of the clubs is outstanding,” he said.
“Both South Mandurah and Pinjarra make donations and help raise awareness on the day.
“It means a lot to us, and to me personally, to have the support of the clubs for a worthy cause.”
The day has taken on a more personal meaning for both clubs since the passing of WA footy legend Steve Bazzo.
Bazzo played and coached at both South Mandurah and Pinjarra, and was also a member of the inaugural Peel Thunder line-up, where he played 60 games.
He died in 2015 following a battle with melanoma.
Former Falcon Steve Clarke, who also succumbed to the disease, will also be honoured on the day with the presentation of the Steve Clarke medal to the best-on-ground in the league game.
The Steve Bazzo Cup will be awarded to the club with the winning point differential across the colts, reserves and league games.
“It’s a touching way to honour some of each club’s legends,” Falcons president Darren Dews said.
“We think it’s really important to make sure that we not only remember the blokes who gave so much to our clubs but we also help raise awareness for the disease.”
Modern Medical Clinic’s Skin Clinic will be providing bulk-billed skin check bookings for all in attendance on the day.
Heal stressed the importance of having a proactive approach when it came to skin check ups.
“We hear of so many people suffering from melanoma that say they’ve never gone and had an actual check up,” he said.
“It can effect anyone so it’s great that we’re able to offer skin checks on a day like the Steve Bazzo Cup.”
The colts game kicks off the day, starting at 10.30am.