Derby rivals turn pink for cause

SUNDAY’S Division 1 football clash at Kippen Park between Western Spirit and Ipswich Knights will be one of the most important games of the season for both teams.

Third-placed Western Spirit are in promotion range and the Ipswich Knights are trying to hold a top four finals spot after two untimely losses.

To coincide with the crucial clash, a fundraiser will be held for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Donations will be collected on entry into Kippen Park and throughout both games at the Goodna venue.

All money raised will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, who help women and men affected with the disease.

Western Spirit and the Knights have kickstarted the fundraiser in fine style.

Spirit have donated $900 up front, from player donations matched by Western Spirit coaches and managers Troy Wickstein, Nev O’Sullivan, Mark Hancock and Kym Wickstein.

All Ipswich Knights players, coaches and managers will also be donating their match payments for the game.

Western Spirit senior chairman Mark Hancock thanked Knights coach Billy Livingstone, his support staff and the players for their contribution.

Players from both clubs have agreed to wear pink socks to mark the special occasion.

The Reserve grade game commences at 2.45pm with the A-grade game kicking off at 5pm.

Hancock said Western Spirit Football Club was expecting a huge crowd on Sunday, hopefully passing the 400 who turned up for an earlier local derby clash.

Match preview in tomorrow’s QT.