Penrith Brothers Junior Rugby League Club has held its first pink jersey day and managed to raise more than $10,000 for the local women’s shelter, The Haven.
Most of the funds raised came from the sale of the specially-designed jerseys. A 2023 NRL Penrith jersey signed by the premiership-winning players was also auctioned as the Panthers wanted to show their support.
Brothers Penrith President Troy Cooper said he was proud of the club for supporting such a worthy cause.
“It is great to show that we are more than just a football club – we are a club that gets behind our community,” Cooper said.
The pink jersey day was originally set down for Mother’s Day this year. But torrential rain forced a postponement.
A quick look at the Rugby League calendar and Saturday the 27 July jumped out as not only Round One of the NRLW but the start of the build-up to the NRL’s Women in League Round.
“We all came together … choosing this date wasn’t by accident,” said Mark Lewis, Brothers Penrith female ambassador, as a well as a coach and trainer of the Under 10 boys and six girls sides.
The club has 61 teams from Under 5s through to U18s with Lewis saying more than half of them wore the pink jerseys on Saturday, including all six Penrith girls team and 20 boys teams.
Even the BBQ volunteers wore pink jerseys and the canteen staff had pink aprons.
NSW State Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown, was there along with Chair of Haven Sharon Levy, and former Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchens, who is also on The Haven and Panthers Board of Directors.
Lewis said research was done to find a charity that would resonate with locals.
“Domestic violence is an issue in the Penrith area, as it is Sydney-wide, but we wanted to create an awareness around it so we can stamp it out.
“We are a grass-roots football team wanting to tackle a major grassroots issue.
“We want to showcase Brothers as an all-inclusive club, welcoming all players regardless of gender.”
