Ballarat soccer rivals unite to raise cervical cancer profile

BY MELANIE WHELAN
15 Apr, 2010 08:42 AM

LONG-time soccer rivals Ballarat and Victoria Park have banded together in a bid to raise cervical cancer awareness.

They are doing it the best way they know how — in an on-field battle.

Each club has pieced together an all-star line-up for the inaugural Melissa Jane Ellis Memorial Cup on Sunday.

Ballarat captain Adam Bogers and Victoria Park captain

James Buchanan are calling for support at Pleasant Park Reserve.

‘‘It’s a serious match, even though it is for charity, and as soon as we get out there we’ll be fighting hard to win,’’ Buchanan said.

The cup is named in honour of Melissa Ellis, a loved member of the Ballarat soccer community who died on January 29 — three months after she was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer.

Melissa was just 34.

She is survived by husband Lucas, daughter Tayla, 12, and son Hudson, 4.

Melissa’s family hope to raise awareness of the disease and help others in a cause Melissa was dedicated to from the day she was diagnosed.

Her husband Lucas, a former Ballarat Red Devil, played with both Ballarat and Victoria Park.

Bogers said the cup was very personal to all players.

‘‘It’ll be good if it can be an annual event and if it is, it will be good to be the first one named as winners on the trophy,’’ Bogers said.

Ballarat All-Stars line-up will feature Red Devils’ best and fairest winners Steve Work and Wayne Sandford and Ballarat stalwart Mark Tudorovic.

Victoria Park has assembled most of its 2007 premiership team, which Lucas coached to the club’s sole flag in 15 years.

Team legends Doug Wilson, Neil Smith, Steve Morris and Shane Jones are among the inclusions. A junior girls soccer curtain raiser will be held to promote awareness of the cervical cancer vaccine.

Since Melissa’s story first appeared in The Courier late last month, the Ballarat and District Division of General Practice has recorded an increase in the region’s pap smear rate.

The Cancer Awareness Soccer Carnival will also include an auction of English Premier League memorabilia and children’s activities. Entry, $2, will be donated to Support 4 Cancer.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/ballarat-soccer-rivals-unite-to-raise-cervical-cancer-profile/1803632.aspx