AFL premiership player and coach Mick Malthouse has engaged in sport all his life and knows February is the ideal time for a fitness test.
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So Malthouse is challenging Ballarat sports clubs to take on the Reach4Research Ballarat Cycle Classic by creating a competition of their own among teammates.
The money raised from the event on February 18 will go towards the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.
Malthouse said he decided to take on the role of event ambassador because it seemed to be a good fit.
“One, it’s a very, very worthy cause, two, it’s Ballarat where I come from, and three, one way or another everyone at some stage is going to be affected by it (cancer),” he said.
Malthouse’s parents died of cancer in 2007 and 2009, while his wife Nanette was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and is still recovering.
He has also lost his beloved brother-in-law and two of his 1980 Richmond premiership teammates to cancer.
“They were fit young men and if we have a reunion they are not there,” Malthouse said. “(Cancer) does not discriminate, it will hit you at some stage.”
Malthouse said his first thought in his new ambassador role was how to attract more cycle classic participants in the hope of doubling numbers.
“People shun cancer, you hear the word cancer and straight away there is a bit of a shutter,” he said.
“We don’t face reality when it’s with us right through the community, so (it’s about) making something fun out of it (with the cycling event).”
Malthouse said he would do his best to gather as many family members as he could to join him in the walk around the lake, including his grandchildren.
“I would ride but I could not see my wife riding at this stage and what a beautiful 6km it is (around Lake Wendouree),” he said.
On Friday, Malthouse came to Ballarat to officially launch the cycle classic and tour the FECRI facilities with research director Professor George Kannourakis.
Malthouse said he was amazed the institute and its work were reliant on community support, including significant donations from former teammate and dear friend Stewart Gull and wife Sue, Selkirk and philanthropist John Turner.
“This foundation has got no government backing… I’m not saying the government should support everything, but this is very significant and relies on having the best scientists who do not live on fresh air,” he said.
Malthouse urged people to get behind the cycle classic because every dollar could lead to another scientist or another piece of equipment that would hasten the assault on cancer.
“At the end of the day it’s all about getting people to live longer and finding a healthier method than being diagnosed with cancer and then having chemotherapy or radiation,” he said.
For more information or to register visit reach4research.com.au.