Jo Burling Memorial Game to headline Lower Great Southern Hockey Association’s cancer awareness round

Teams will come together for a special cause on Saturday with the annual cancer awareness round held in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association. The round will be highlighted by the Jo Burling Memorial Game played between women’s A-grade teams Spencer Park and North Albany. It will be the 23rd edition of the memorial that is played in honour of Albany hockey stalwart Jo Burling who died of breast cancer at the age of 42. Burling was a life member of Dumbleyung Hockey Club before she became very active in the LGSHA, coaching, umpiring and playing A-grade with Park. She was also a regular player at country championships in Perth and was selected for WA Country several times. The LGSHA will come together to raise funds for local cancer charities through their activities on the day. The Kellie York Memorial Game is also part of the LGSHA’s Cancer Awareness round, played between the two Spencer Park B-grade teams. A popular player and active member with Park over many years, York also died from cancer. The LGSHA holds a cancer awareness round to honour Burling, York and all families that have been affected by some form of cancer. Spencer Park player Tessa Wood, who is helping organise the day, said the occasion was one the entire hockey community looked forward to. “It’s a very important round for the LGSHA to honour both Jo and Kellie is really special,” she said. “What both of those women did for their clubs respectively and hockey as a whole was incredible. “The cancer awareness round is one of the biggest rounds in the LGSHA calendar. “So come on down and be a part of the day by cheering in the crowd, buying raffle tickets and enjoying some good company.” The Burling memorial was initiated in 2000 after discussion between the two clubs. Park have won the Jo Burling Memorial Shield on nine occasions and Redbacks have eight wins to their name while there have been five draws. “It’s a really special round to be a part of, this will be my first time playing in the round,” Wood said. “I have friends and family who have personally been affected by cancer, so to be given the opportunity to bring awareness and raise money for the cause means a lot. “I know speaking to the girls in my team, we all want to bring our best this weekend and come together for the bigger cause.” The Kellie York Memorial between Spencer Park Light and Spencer Park Dark will be played at 2.30pm. The Jo Burling Memorial will follow at 4pm with Park to wear pink shirts and Redbacks to pull on pink socks. Money will be raised through raffles and donations along with food sales.