Swan Districts and East Fremantle will play this Saturday July 21 in Round 18 of the WAFL at Steel Blue Oval for the inaugural MND Association, Kerry Coates – Joyce Allen Perpetual Trophy.
Both clubs have been affected by MND with several losses to their football communities. Most notably Swans lost Life Member Joyce Allen recently and the Sharks lost Premiership Player and past coach Kerry Coates in 2007.
The Perpetual Trophy trophy has been named in their honour with the aim of raising awareness of the disease, as well as the work the MND Association of WA (MNDAWA) does to support those living with MND.
Features of the day
- Blue armbands worn by both league teams to raise awareness
- Post-game awards at 5:45pm for both teams, including the presentation of the MND Association, Kerry Coates – Joyce Allen Perpetual Trophy by MNDAWA CEO Mathew Brown
- Game times remain as normal (9am Colts, 11:40am Reserves, 2:10pm League)
About Kerry Coates
Kerry Coates was a much loved WA sportsman who had a career in football and cricket spanning more than 30 years. In that time ‘Kerro’ touched the lives of many Australian sportsmen.
Coates played 85 League Games at the East Fremantle Football Club including a premiership in 1974, and then went on to coach the club’s colts where he produced players such as Brownlow medallist’s Simon Black and Shane Woewodin and former AFL stars Josh and Matt Carr.
Kerro was also the State amateur coach and played cricket at a high level for many years.
In October 2005 Kerry was diagnosed with the incurable disease Motor Neurone. Sadly in September 2007 Kerry lost his battle with MND passing away peacefully at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
About Joyce Allen
Joyce Allen was a tireless behind the scenes worker for the Swan Districts Football Club and the Swansmen Association. She had a great love of the club and did it all with a smile for well over 20 years. Joyce was awarded Life Membership at Swans in 2010 for her work mending jumpers, sewing on sponsor patches, baking for the sponsor's afternoon teas and hosting many a dinner for the Swansmen functions.
In early 2010 Joyce was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and endured it for over two years with courage and dignity. Unfortunately just recently in June of this year, Joyce lost her battle.
For more info about MNDAWA visit http://www.mndawa.asn.au/
