Glenn McGrath receives top honours for contributions to health and cricket

Legendary fast bowler and McGrath Foundation president Glenn McGrath has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in honour of a lifelong commitment to community health and sport.

Cricketer Glenn McGrath arrives with his family members to pick up pink caps from the players on Jane McGrath Day in January. McGrath has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

Cricketer and president of The McGrath Foundation, Glenn McGrath has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his lifelong service to health and sport.

McGrath is one of 15 Aus­tralians to receive the prestigious AO this year for his “distinguished service to community health through breast cancer support, and to cricket as an international coach”.

The accolade adds another title to his name after he was previously appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2008 for his “service to cricket as a player”, followed by the NSW Australian of the Year Award for his dedication to the McGrath Foundation and contributions to cricket.

McGrath’s late wife Jane passed away from breast cancer in June that same year, aged 42.

Nearly two decades later, the foundation Glenn and Jane started together in 2005 to address the chronic shortage of breast care nurses throughout Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas, has helped changed the lives of women across the country.

Glenn McGrath has been recognised for his “distinguished service to community health through breast cancer support, and to cricket as an international coach”. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Known for creating seas of pink at sporting matches, the McGrath Foundation has raised millions of dollars for breast cancer awareness, education and support for patients and their loved ones.

The foundation funds 223 McGrath Breast Care Nurses who have supported more than 137,000 individuals and their families experiencing breast cancer.

McGrath Foundation chief executive Holly Masters, expressed her congratulations said: “The entire McGrath Foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to Glenn … this is an incredible achievement acknowledging (his) tireless advocacy for families impacted by breast cancer and his work to ensure no one with breast cancer in Australia misses out on the care of a breast care nurse.”

Late last year, Glenn helped announce a $166m commitment from the commonwealth government to assist patients recovering from cancer in the latest chapter for the charity.

The accolade is the latest honour for the McGrath Foundation co-founder and legendary fast bowler. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

At the time of the event, he said “when we started the foundation, we hoped we could make a positive difference to just one family”.

“My family understands first-hand the incredible difference this care makes, so knowing Australians will soon have access to this care no matter what type of cancer they have, just blows me away.”

Alongside his charity commitments, Glenn was one of the most successful fast bowlers in the history of international cricket and a Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductee as of 2011.

The Australian understands McGrath is currently in India, where he is serving as the director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, a training clinic for the best fast bowlers from across the world.