A-grade rivals ready

Spencer Park and North Albany will renew their rivalry in the women’s A-grade with the 13th Jo Burling Memorial Game highlighting round 16 of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association.

This Saturday’s LGSHA fixtures will focus on raising awareness for breast cancer, which took the life of former Spencer Park stalwart Jo Burling in 2000.

Spencer Park will wear pink to help raise awareness for breast cancer and remember their popular team mate.

Since the inaugural Jo Burling Memorial Game in 2000, won by North Albany, Park have won six of the memorial matches while also playing out a draw.

The Redbacks head into this year’s clash with five wins and a draw to their name.

Jo’s mother Enid Pearce said the match meant a lot to her family and it was fantastic to see so much support for breast cancer awareness.

“It’s a great honour for the whole family,” Pearce said.

“I always come down but I did miss last year because I was on a trip.”

Pearce said it would be a dream come true if she was still alive when a cure to breast cancer was found.

Jo’s oldest son Danny, who will play for Spencer Park in the men’s A-grade this Saturday, said the match was special to his family.

“It is good recognition for mum and great to see the association continue to support it,” Burling said. “As it goes on it’s more a day of remembrance for everyone who is affected by breast cancer, not just mum.”

Danny’s brother Hayden is in a race against time to be fit enough to take on the Redbacks in the men’s A-grade.

LGSHA president Shauna Dale said funds for breast cancer would be raised on the day while the second annual B-grade Kelly York Memorial Game, in memory of Kelly, who lost her battle with the disease in 2008, will be played between Spencer Park 1 and Spencer Park 2 on Saturday.