Sorell’s heartfelt tribute to Carolyn Birch, uniting the community in support of cancer awareness

Sorell will host its annual Pink Sock Day this weekend with an added meaning, paying tribute to one of its player’s mothers. Here’s the story behind the cause and how a Collingwood star will be involved.

Sorell Football Club will celebrate its annual Pink Sock Day on Saturday but this time will represent it with a greater cause for one of its own.

Carolyn Birch, mother of woman’s player Sigrid Birch died with breast cancer four years ago and the club now plays an annual game called ‘The Carolyn Birch Memorial Round’.

This year Sorell will host St Virgil’s in the women’s memorial match while the men will play Claremont with Collingwood premiership player Beau McCreery set to be in attendance to support the Eagles’ effort to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.

Rick Birch, Sigrid’s father, said his daughter had been the driving force behind the initiative.

“I said to Sigrid at the start of this year when would she like to get this event organised and she chose this weekend,” Birch said.

Back row L-R: Joe Birch, Rick Birch, Sigrid Birch, Heidi Johnson, Shelby Barr. Front row L-R: Corey Oakley, Tom Birch. Sorell Football Club will celebrate the life of Carolyn Birch during the annual match by wearing Pink Socks to raise funds for breast cancer. Picture: Jake Garland

“The support is incredible from the club but also from the community as well.

“Everyone has been touched by someone who has had cancer and it is really incredible to see the community bound together to raise funds but also awareness.

“We have pride round, we have Indigenous round, I get the concept for this day but we should have a Cancer Foundation round where we raise money and funds for all types of cancers.”

Sigrid, who turned 17 in January, has organised a silent disco which kicks off at 7pm while also dressing the whole club in pink and attendees told to dress up in pink to show their support.

Sorell Football Club will wear Pink Socks to raise money for the annual Carolyn Birch Memorial game which also raises awareness for breast cancer. Picture: Jake Garland

Albert Road Store’s food van will be in attendance to provide further support to the day.

Carolyn died on May 7, 2021, just after her 50th birthday leaving behind her husband and three children Joe and twins Sigrid and Tom.

Following the death of Carolyn, South East Suns, who Sigrid played junior footy for, started the memorial game in 2021.

It became an annual event with the Carolyn Birch medal awarded to the best player from each team as Sigrid won the medal for the Suns in 2024.

Sorell looked to field a women’s side in 2025 with the South East Suns disbanding, a number of players moved to the Eagles which has seen the club take on the memorial game and fundraiser.

Joe has found himself trying to do all he can to raise awareness.

“Joe is 19 and he has raised over 25 grand since Carolyn died with Relay for Life,” Rick said.

“The legacy of just raising money for cancer and breast cancer is something we’ve wanted to throw our weight behind.

“It is about awareness, as much as it is a memorial game, it is awareness around breast cancer which can affect anyone, you know Carolyn was only 50.

“It’s awareness of people and not just women, I’ve heard quite a few men have got breast cancer.

“Joe has just chucked his weight behind fundraising for cancer in particular, he actually won a global award as the global ambassador for Relay for Life this year.

“That’s across the world, he was the only Australian to be nominated.”

Originally published as Sorell’s heartfelt tribute to Carolyn Birch, uniting the community in support of cancer awareness