Greater Western Sydney Giants get behind DoSomething Day and National Breast Cancer Foundation push

For the GWS Giants, doing something worthwhile off the field is just as important as what happens before the siren on it.

GWS Giants players Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield, Jack Steele pose with a DoSomething Day sign at Bankstown West Public School. Picture: Timothy Clapin

FOR the GWS Giants, doing something worthwhile off the field is just as important as what happens before the siren on it.

Since forming in 2009, the team has launched an impressive line-up of community programs – everything from finding employment for disadvantaged youth to keeping men fighting fit through health checks at schools, community centres and stadiums.

Now the club has put its weight behind DoSomething Day, on June 15, Australia’s biggest ever celebration of volunteering and random acts of kindness.

Midfielders Jack Steele, Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield took time out teaching AFL AusKick at Bankstown West Public School to pose with NewsLocal’s handy #dosomethingday sign on Wednesday.

GWS Giants midfielder Josh Kelly teaches kids some passing skills at Bankstown West Public School. Picture: Timothy Clapin

It was also a chance for the players to don hot pink jerseys in support of Real Men Wear Pink, June 24, a National Breast Cancer Foundation campaign to raise cash for cutting-edge research.

For midfielder Steele, tackling breast cancer is close to his heart.

“When I was younger, my nan had it. I was pretty young, about five years old, so I probably didn’t understand. But later on I started to piece it together,” he told The Express.

“I remember at the time it did affect my family and now that’s happened we are aware of it more than others are, I suppose. That’s why we are in support of (breast cancer awareness).”

Steele, 20, said it was important for men with profiles to put their face to worthy causes.

“Obviously we (AFL players) have access to the community very easily. If we get behind it, everyone else will,” he said.

Jack Steele (left) had his own experience with breast cancer in his family and is putting weight behind the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign. He is pictured with fellow midfielders Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield. Picture: Timothy Clapin.

The push encourages men to don pink in any form on June 24 to raise cash for breast cancer research. NBCF has set a fundraising target of $1 million.

Steele said it was important for men with profiles to man up and help tackle breast cancer.

Every day, 44 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The funds raised will support a University of Sydney pilot study looking at methods to overcome treatment-resistance breast cancer tumours

For more information, visit the website realmenwearpink.org.au.

DoSomething Day is an initiative of NewsLocal newspapers, the DoSomething charity and ClubsNSW to encourage anyone, whoever they are, to do something positive for others.

To get involved, help someone out and upload photos or videos to social media using #DoSomethingDay and #giveyourbest.

Find out more at dosomethingday.com.au