Pink Stumps Day final tally was $5108

The Southern Spirit Cricket Club has finished its inaugural Pink Stumps Ladies Day with an official fundraising total of $5108 for the McGrath Foundation.

About 130 people took part in a day of community, fundraising and cricket at Umina Oval on January 11, with the Spirit's inaugural Women's T20 team hosting Narara-Wyoming for the match.

Throughout the day, fundraising activities took place including a women-only raffle, a club raffle and a silent auction, which featured prizes donated by local businesses and community members.

All up, the club raised $5108 which was donated to the Jane McGrath Foundation, which supports the rollout of regional breast care nurses for cancer patients.

Club secretary Mr Jack Wilson said the auction was highly successful with a cricket ball signed by former Australian player Shane Warne selling for $300.

Mr Wilson said the club has held several Pink Stumps Day events in the past, but this year's was their most ambitious undertaking yet.

"Rod Cooper, Mark Mcgown and Matt Lane have been long time pioneers of Pink Stumps Day for the Spirit but, with our women's team coming on board this year, we wanted to do something bigger than previous years," Mr Wilson said.

As part of the festivities, the club arranged a VIP women's marquee and several other activities to involve community members who turned up to support the club on the day.

"It was just a great day and both Spirit teams won their matches which was pleasing for the home crowd," Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson confirmed the club was keen to emulate the success of this year's Pink Stumps Day at future events and attributed its success to the rise of women's cricket across the region.

"It's great to see women's cricket growing on the Coast and events like this prove great things are happening with the sport," Mr Wilson said.

SOURCE:

Email, 23 Jan 2020

Interview (Dilon Luke), 30 Jan 2020

Jack Wilson, Southern Spirit Cricket Club

Photo: Nick Friend