Carlton coach Brett Ratten announced today the teams will play for the inaugural Richard Pratt Cup in Friday night’s blockbuster at the MCG.
“The Richard Pratt Cup has been established to pay tribute to a great Carlton man who had an enormous impact on our club and football in general. While we battle against Collingwood for the Cup, we will be joining forces with them to help the battle against cancer by working together to raise awareness of prostate cancer,” Ratten said.
Richard Pratt passed away in April this year following a long battle with prostate cancer. Richard’s involvement with the Carlton Football Club spanned nearly 60 years as a player, sponsor, director, president and patron.
Carlton President Stephen Kernahan said the Richard Pratt Cup was an important legacy for a great Carlton person who did so much for the community.
“Dick was a true Carlton bloke whose commitment to the Club was unbelievable. What he did for our club in its time of need showed his love for Carlton. He made things happen, giving inspiration, leadership and belief and there is no doubt he was the man that saved the Carlton Football Club.
“We are delighted that Collingwood has joined with us to pay tribute to Richard Pratt to ensure his legacy continues and to raise awareness of prostate cancer and our continuing fight against cancer,” Kernahan said.
Collingwood President Eddie McGuire said it was an important tribute to a great man.
“The Collingwood Football Club is delighted to support the launch of the Richard Pratt Cup,” said McGuire.
“Collingwood has developed a close partnership with the Pratt Foundation over many years and continues to work closely with Richard’s daughter Heloise Waislitz on a range of community programs and initiatives.
“The establishment of the Richard Pratt Cup, in conjunction with the Carlton Football Club, will not only pay tribute to a great man of football and the community, it will also present an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the issues relating to prostate cancer,” McGuire added.
Carlton and Collingwood joined forces in 1993 in the fight against cancer through the annual Peter Mac Cup and this will continue. Each year the Carlton home game will be played for the Richard Pratt Cup and the Collingwood home game will be played for the Peter Mac Cup.
The Chairman of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Graeme Johnson said the establishment of the Richard Pratt Cup was an important initiative that will boost the community awareness of prostate cancer and he congratulated both clubs on their role.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting males diagnosed in Australia. Each year almost 3000 men die of prostate cancer and we need to continue to raise the awareness to reduce the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men and their loved ones,” Graeme said.
Ted Whitten, CEO of the EJ Whitten Foundation, was delighted the teams had joined forces to support prostate cancer awareness and confirmed the Foundation would provide additional support for the Richard Pratt Cup.
The Richard Pratt Cup will be presented to the winning team’s captain in the rooms following Friday night’s game.
Prostate Cancer Facts:
- Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer affecting males diagnosed in Australia
- Each year in Australia, almost 3000 men die of prostate cancer
- An estimated 18,700 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in Australia every year
- It is recommended that men aged 50 and over (or 40 and over if they have a family history) should speak with their doctor annually about prostate cancer and, if necessary, be tested.
For further information on prostate cancer:
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Phone: 1800 22 00 99 or visit www.prostate.org.au
EJ Whitten Foundation
Phone: 1300WHITTEN or visit www.ejwhittenfoundation.com.au
