Honouring club legends and raising awareness for a deadly disease will be the aim of the South Mandurah Football and Netball Club’s next game, as they team with Melanoma WA once again for their annual tradition.
The “Melanoma Game” as it’s been dubbed has become an important part of the footy season at Falcon Oval since it began more than six years ago, raising vital funds for the organisation and spreading the importance of regular skin checks.
But South Mandurah’s connection to Melanoma WA runs more than skin deep.
The not-for-profit body was founded by Falcons player Clint Heal, who was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma when playing with Peel Thunder.
“I was just like everyone else before I was diagnosed with melanoma – getting your skin checked is something you just don’t think about,” he said.
“I’m still going through treatments and scans for it today, so it’s really important we push the message of prevention and getting checked before melanoma strikes.”
The footy club has felt the pain the disease can cause first hand, losing legends Steve Bazzo and Steve Clarke – who the trophy and best afield medal for the game are named after – to skin cancer.
The Bazzo family remains prominent around the club, with Steve’s daughter Kameron playing in Souths’ netball squad while son Rhett stars on the junior footy field.
His wife Kylie, who helps manage the netball sides, said the game was a special occasion for their family, giving them the chance to honour Steve’s memory while doing their part to shine the spotlight on skin cancer.
“It’s fantastic that we can use the game to help further the cause,” she said.
“For us it’s just an absolute honour that the club goes so far to pay their respect to Steve. To see how well loved he was is really special.”
South Mandurah will donate a significant portion of the profits taken from their gate on the day to Melanoma WA, while the organisation will carry out further fundraising including auctioning off playing jumpers from games.
The Steve Bazzo Cup will be presented to the best performing club across both the football and netball platforms, while the Clarke family will be on deck to toss the coin for the league game.
Heal said it was a momentous day for Melanoma WA.
“The funds raised from this game go such a long way in our mission,” he said.
“Just to have the support of the club is huge – we can’t thank them enough.”
The game will be held at Falcon Oval this coming Saturday, June 30, kicking off at 2pm.
The reserves clash will open the day at 12pm, with the colts succeeding the league at 4.30pm.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
