Sport
16 February, 2023
Beaufort tickled pink as they seek finals appearance
After the success Beaufort Cricket Club enjoyed hosting their first Pink Stumps Day in 2022, the club will be doing it again this weekend when they host Maryborough. It’s been a tough season to date for the winless Crows, but there has been reason...
After the success Beaufort Cricket Club enjoyed hosting their first Pink Stumps Day in 2022, the club will be doing it again this weekend when they host Maryborough.
It’s been a tough season to date for the winless Crows, but there has been reason for optimism in recent weeks with some improved performances in A grade, and still remain in the finals hunt.
The club will now hold Pink Stumps Day in support of the McGrath Foundation, which was formed in 2005 in honour of Jane McGrath, wife of Australian cricketing legend Glenn McGrath, who had courageously fought breast cancer before succumbing to the disease in 2008.
To support the day, Beaufort will be splashing pink across the field, with pink stumps and creases, while the players will be wearing pink hats.
There will also be many forms of entertainment throughout the day, with raffles, auctions and live music from singer and guitarist Riley Mason set to entertain the Crows faithful.
Beaufort’s Jodie Jantzen said the level of activations on the day gives them great optimism to smash the $4000 that the club donated last year.
“We are looking to beat the $4000 mark. We’d love to get a lot more community there for the day, and raise awareness of breast cancer, as well as the job that the McGrath Foundation does,” she said.
“This year will be different to last year. We’ll have more kids and family activities, as well as a guest speaker to talk about the impact that the McGrath Foundation nurses have. We’ll also have an acoustic singer to perform after the day’s play, so that people can hang around a bit longer to have a good time.
“We’re introducing old-school activities, such as wheelbarrow races, three-legged races, and a yabby auction and race. Our players will be wearing pink hats, and the creases and stumps will also be painted pink. We also incorporate our sponsors and life members into the day as well.”
Jantzen is also using the day to drive Beaufort’s new Social Sixers program, which is designed to encourage women across the Pyrenees Shire region into participating in cricket, while there will be junior cricket activities prior to the game between the Crows and Owls.
“We have a come-and-try session for the female Social Sixers, and the junior Blasters program, which is in-between the under 15 game and our senior A grade game, which will provide an opportunity for people to have a hit, go through some skills and drills, and have a go before they decide to join our programs,” she said.
While it’s been a tough season for the Crows, with floods impacting the use of their home ground throughout the early stages of the season, Jantzen says the prospect of still being in the hunt for a finals berth continues to drive the club.
“A finals appearance would be huge. The attitude of the team this year has been to rebuild. We had a few leave us last season, but building up the camaraderie and team skills has been our focus,” she said.
“We haven’t had our main training nets constructed, but we’ve been working with what we have. We’ve had a coach that has provided direction, but we’ve also ensured we’ve been having social sessions which has allowed both teams to come together.”
You can donate to Beaufort’s Pink Stumps Day by visiting www.pinkisthecolour.com.au/fundraisers/beaufortcc