CATS WITH A CAUSE
THE Broadbeach Cats will be fighting for more than just four QAFL premiership points today, with the club to support a cause close to many of the players’ hearts.
As part of a Ladies Day function to raise funds and awareness for Dementia Australia, Broadbeach players will wear a speciallydesigned guernsey when they take on winless Sandgate at Subaru Oval.
THE Broadbeach Cats will play for more than just QAFL premiership points today with the club’s annual Ladies Day set to support a cause close to many of the player’s hearts.
Broadbeach will play in guernseys designed specifically for the day against the winless Sandgate at Subaru Oval where a win could lift them into third.
The annual Ladies Day function, organised by Bridget Taylor, will be held from 12.30pm with a record 80 women set to attend and help raise more than $500 for Dementia Australia and awareness of a condition that affects the memory and more of those with it.
Reigning Grogan Medallist and Cats midfielder Blake Erickson saw the early effects of dementia begin to grip his grandfather before he passed and said the whole playing group were quick to get behind the cause.
“We are happy to put our hands up and give back to the cause,” Erickson said. “We are really happy as a club to be part of that. You might know every second person who may know someone with dementia. It’s good to be able to support friends and family who do have it.
“We want to help out in any way we can. It’s a great day for us and a great day for the club.”
Erickson said the significance of the guernsey, the added meaning of the occasion and increased spectators traditionally translates into a lift in performance from the team who have helped Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision in the past two years.
“There are more people around the club and you don’t want to put in a poor performance when you’re supporting the cause, as you never want to put in a poor performance,” Erickson said.
“It definitely provides me lift and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say it does for the whole team.”
With unbeaten league leaders Palm Beach Currumbin Lions having a bye this weekend, teams including Broadbeach will be aiming to close the gap on the reigning two-time QAFL premiers.
Surfers Paradise could get within a win of the Lions if they beat Mt Gravatt at Sir Bruce Small Park today, while Labrador will host the Western Magpies.
WE WANT TO HELP OUT IN ANY WAY WE CAN. IT’S A GREAT DAY FOR US BROADBEACH’S BLAKE ERICKSON