Game to promote Movember causes

TOP SCORER: High School Old Boys skipper Tyler Phelps top-scored — with 40 runs — for his side against Bollywood Stars on Saturday but it was not enough to stop the Stars winning the game and clinching a place in the final of the 40-over Doleman Cup competition. Picture by Liam Clayton

Local cricketers and businesses have come together this year for the first Movember Friendly T20 game tomorrow.

Organiser Tyler Phelps had been running the event for the past two years in Melbourne and wanted to bring the tradition back home.

He and his partner returned to Gisborne in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and wanted to promote the Movember causes, Phelps said.

The month-long campaign raises awareness of the top three causes of premature death among men — prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide.

“These are issues that are prevalent in New Zealand and the Gisborne community,” Phelps said.

“The goal (of this event) is to raise money for Movember and create a community-led event that we can run annually.”

He said the outpouring of support for the event had been incredible.

“It's super special. I didn't think word would spread so quickly. It spread like wildfire.

“An event like this comes with significant costs and, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, everything has been covered.

“This means all money raised will go directly to the Movember Foundation.”

Sunshine Brewing, First Light Frozen, Willy Grogan, Valhalla Orchard, Pak'nSave, Far East Developments, Hauiti Berries, Poverty Bay Cricket, Kingpin, Live Creative, Woods Media, Simplercity, The Jordy PT, Unichem Bramwell's Pharmacy and Aqua Earth Biospheres had all helped.

Phelps also wanted to thank his partner, Sam Bramwell, who had done a lot of the work behind the scenes, “ironing out the details” to make sure the event would run smoothly.

He said the local community had got in behind the idea.

One of the event's goals is to raise over $3000 for Movember. Already $890 has come in from player registration and advance donations.

“The other goal of the event is to create a community-led day out that can be run annually, continuing to build momentum and raise the profile of men's health in New Zealand,” Phelps said.

The game will be a 12-a-side 20/20 match in which a range of local talent will take part.

“We have Poverty Bay players from the senior level and some players who haven't lifted a bat in donkey's years.”

The game, to be played at Harry Barker Reserve, starts at 1pm tomorrow.