North Sydney Bears

Kicking off 2023 by Giving Back: Tackling Women’s Cancer

On Sunday the 16^th April 2023 the North Sydney Bears Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team will battle the South Sydney Rabbitohs on field to be crowned champions of the Women In League Cup. However, this on-field battle is nothing compared to the battle that many women, and their families, face every day when tackling cancer. This year, we will be kicking off our 2023 home game series at North Sydney Oval by giving back to the wider community and raising much needed funds for women’s gynaecological cancer research with WomenCan.

WomenCan’s mission is to improve the lives of women with gynaecological cancer through fundraising for research. The Bears, together with the Rabbitohs, are aiming to raise $45,000 to fully fund a women’s cancer research program. The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group’s Fund for New Research promotes the development of investigator-led studies from the initial concept to a full study, promoting the development of future clinical trials and foster its member’s research studies. In reaching this goal of raising $45,000, it would be the first time a sporting club has funded a women’s gynaecological cancer research study. This is something the Bears are excited to rise to the challenge of.

This will be the second year of the Cup with the inaugural year won by the North Sydney Bears in 2022. Both Souths and Norths are original founding clubs of the NSW Rugby League and is magic to bring them together, to not only play for the Women In League Cup, but also have the opportunity to support this incredibly worthy organisation and the work they do to ensure women struggling with gynaecological cancer can live longer, better lives.

This year 6,800 Australian women will be diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. WomenCan are conducting research to develop new pioneering discoveries to improve outcomes for women. “If you've experienced the devastation of gynae cancer, you'll understand why I am so passionate about changing outcomes for women in the future” stated Paula Duncan AM, WomenCan Ambassador. Paula will be joining the Bears at North Sydney Oval and encourages all Bears & Rabbitohs members, fans and supporters to get behind this cause and help tackle women’s cancer.

“At the Bears we are proud of our involvement in the growth of women’s rugby league over the last five years and now we are extremely proud to be pioneering the way in actively supporting women’s cancer research” commented Gareth Holmes, CEO of the North Sydney Bears.