BALLAN Football Netball Club is doing its part in giving breast cancer the boot.All around the Bendigo Bank Central Highlands Football League clubs are using pink footballs and netballs to help raise awareness of breast cancer for the Mother's Day round.The rattle of collection tins will accompany the usual blaring of car horns and friendly encouragement of umpires, while raffle proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Network Australia.Down at Ballan, when the half-time siren sounds in the seniors football clash between the Blues and Gordon, women will be limbering up to take part in the main events - gumboot-throwing and goal-kicking competitions.Ballan secretary Mick Masters said the club had made a special effort because some of its members had personally felt the affects of cancer."They are fun activities designed to promote breast cancer awareness and have a fun time while doing it," he said.But while the games were designed to be a bit of a laugh, it was not all beer and gumboots."There is a serious side to it," Masters said."A number of people associated with the club - a couple of past players and a couple of mum's of members - have been diagnosed with cancer, so it's also about raising awareness about that."His own mother, Ann Hinton, was diagnosed with cancer and has completed treatment in the past 12 months, giving the day a personal element."She's had the all-clear now but it takes two years after treatment to be given the complete all-clear, so she still has six months to go with that."It is fitting that neighbours and rivals, the Blues and Eagles, are facing one another in the pink round."Although we are going to be rivals on the football field and netball court, we are united on this cause." Masters thought the pink footy could be a bit more slippery than the usual ball, which might be a factor with wet weather a possibility. Daylesford is having a pink afternoon and Bulldogs coach Luke Beattie was hoping the pink footy might assist his ageing eyes.The senior netball and football players will be signing the pink balls, which will be auctioned at the club later tonight.Beaufort and Hepburn were also planning auctions, while Newlyn was trying to get a Jane McGrath rose to raffle off.