Game On Mole joins forces with Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar Football Club is the first sporting body to officially get behind the cheeky campaign and its message of knowing your skin and melanoma early detection for players, supporters, and the broader community.

In February 2022 MIA released its State of the Nation in Melanoma report which estimated without critical action being taken, by 2030 a further 14,000 Australians will die from melanoma, 205,000 will be diagnosed with the disease, and the economic cost to the nation will be $8.7 billion.  Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world with 16,000 Australians diagnosed each year. Melanoma is also the most common cancer in 20 to 39 year olds.

The report highlighted the need for more investment in sun safety and early detection programs if we are to reduce the burden of melanoma on future generations and a coordinated and national approach to make an impact.  Sporting organisations were challenged to become key drivers, and the Brisbane Roar Football Club heard the call and has become the first sporting organisation to officially partner with GAME ON MOLE.

Matthew Browne, CEO of Melanoma Institute Australia, says, “I’m incredibly excited to have GAME ON MOLE join forces with Brisbane Roar Football Club who are leading the way for sporting organisations by getting on board in the fight against melanoma. As a sports loving nation, sport is revered and its players and organisations hold great influence, especially in elevating messaging for campaigns like GAME ON MOLE, so we are grateful for their involvement.”

“Whether its professional or amateur players, sport lovers or even our children who are running on fields or swimming in pools across Australia, we need to make sure they understand the importance of being sun safe and looking for changes to their skin. Getting skin changes checked by a health professional is paramount to saving lives,” added Mr Browne.

Brisbane Roar players Henry Hore from the A-League Mens and Mariel Hecher from A-League Womens will be part of this year’s GAME ON MOLE campaign, alongside Melanoma Institute Australia ambassador and melanoma survivor, Commonwealth Games Champion Swimmer Sam Short. The campaign will feature a Community Service Announcement to air across TV networks, ads running across the digital and social channels of both organisations and home game activations.

Kaz Patafta, CEO of the Brisbane Roar Football Club says, “ RFC is delighted to partner with Game on Mole to spread the awareness of melanoma and provide skin checks for all our players and staff. Queensland has the highest skin cancer rate in Australia and it has significantly affected the wider football community in Brisbane”.

Matthew Browne hopes that the Brisbane Roar Football Club commitment to this year’s GAME ON MOLE campaign will provide the impetus for other sporting organisations to look at ways they too can join the fight against melanoma.  

To find out more about Game On Mole and to buy a bucket hat to start life-saving conversations about sun safety and skin health go to: www.gameonmole.com.au

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