Pink Round shows basketball’s impact off the court

THE Surf Coast Basketball Association has rallied around those impacted by breast cancer.

Players, officials and spectators filled Wurdi Baierr Stadium with pink on Saturday night as part of the Big V Pink Round.

Raising funds through raffles and donations, the association took in more than $1,200 for Breast Cancer Network Australia.

A highlight of the evening was hearing from Heather Blazko, who shared her experience living with breast cancer in a conversation with association vice-president Troy Benjamin.

A valued member of the walking basketball community, she shared her journey with honesty, courage and inspiration.

Benjamin said hearing from Blazko was a reminder of how important community is.

Blazko shared that she returned to basketball just a week after her last round of chemotherapy.

“She just needed that connection and community,” Benjamin said.

 

“She just loves basketball. I’m so glad she’s able to use our club for her own health and community reasons, to have her share her story [was amazing].

“The biggest message was early detection; she talked a lot about that.”

Held on the Saturday night before Mother’s Day, Benjamin said it was special to watch a sea of pink arrive at the stadium.

Led by the community, he was proud to watch people come out in poor weather on a night where there was lots happening around the region.

“It was just a beautiful and well respected but also action-led evening for our community,” he said.

“Seeing so many people donate and raising awareness was a nice mix of importance and fun, so we loved it.”

Basketball associations across the state joined in Pink Round, including on the Bellarine.

Big V League manager Andrew West said Pink Round continued to represent the very best of the Victorian basketball community.

“Pink Round is one of the most meaningful weekends on the Big V calendar because it shows the incredible heart of our clubs and wider basketball community,” West said.