The Hockeyroos will be pretty in pink at the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy – Women 2022 Sydney, where they will wear full pink uniforms to mark Hockey Australia’s charity partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

With the Champions Trophy running from 11-19 July, the Hockeyroos will celebrate ‘Pink Ladies Day’ on Sunday 12 July during their match against Argentina, decked out in pink. This will be the first time any Australian national team has completely altered their official team uniform for charity.

The creation of Pink Ladies Day was made possible thanks to the support of the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), a key initiative of Curtin University of Technology.

Hockey Australia, Curtin and CHIRI share many common values – a commitment to excellence and to innovation being two such values -  it is a natural alignment for the University and CHIRI to partner with the Hockeyroos.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University, Professor Jill Downie, said she was very pleased to be able to support the Hockeyroos and the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Pink Ladies Day.

“Research into cancer treatments and prevention is a key portfolio of the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI). Chronic diseases such as cancer  pose the greatest challenge to the wellbeing of Australians and we are delighted to be able to join with the Hockeyroos and NBCF to promote awareness,” Professor Downie said. Hockey Australia is urging the hockey community to support Pink Ladies Day by coming along to watch the Hockeyroos take on Argentina in pink at the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy on July 12. It is also an opportunity for you to support breast cancer research. NBCF merchandise will be available at the tournament venue and a signed pink bodysuit will be auctioned after the game. The International Hockey Federation will also be providing pink shirts for the umpires to wear in support of the day.

The purpose of Pink Ladies Day is to create awareness of the tireless work undertaken by the NBCF and to raise funds for breast cancer research.  Hockey Australia Chief Executive Mark Anderson said he is proud to be aligned with such a worthy organization.

“This is the first time that the Hockeyroos have worn an outfit that is not the official Australian team colors. As such, it’s a very important decision that we have not taken lightly as an organization and as a team. The Hockeyroos have supported the position fully as they are aware of the importance of breast cancer as a health issue for all Australian women. We are delighted to partner NBCF and hope that our association assists in some way to raise awareness and fight this disease', said Anderson.

Sue Murray, CEO of the NBCF, encourages all sports fans to get behind the Hockeyroos on Pink Ladies Day. “We’re thrilled that the Hockeyroos will be playing in pink to raise awareness of breast cancer research. With one in nine women expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime, it’s vital that we keep funding research into the prevention and cure of the disease. Research has shown that regular exercise can decrease the risk of breast cancer, so this partnership also sends a message to the community to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Source: Hockey Australia