The Sydney Cricket Ground will turn pink again as the McGrath Foundation, Cricket Australia and Venues NSW urge the country to rally behind cancer care during this year’s NRMA Insurance Pink Test.
The call to ‘Rise to the Occasion’ comes as the Foundation marks 12 months since expanding its care beyond breast cancer to support people with all types of cancer. Leaders from the three organisations gathered at the SCG alongside patients and families who have received support from McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, highlighting how the reach of the service has grown as demand continues to rise.
Almost half of Australians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and close to one million people have received a diagnosis in the past decade. Against that backdrop, the Pink Test has set its most ambitious goal yet, aiming to sell 480,000 Virtual Pink Seats to help fund care for 8,000 families.
McGrath Foundation President and Co-Founder Glenn McGrath said the Ashes series offered a powerful moment to bring the country together for a shared purpose. “The Ashes always brings the country together, but this NRMA Insurance Pink Test we’re asking Australia to unite for something even bigger – helping families through cancer,” he said.
“Close to 1 million people in Australia have been diagnosed with some form of cancer in the past decade and the demand for cancer care is greater than ever. With England visiting our backyard and the world watching, we’re calling on everyone to rise to the occasion for all cancers.”
He said the Virtual Pink Seats campaign was central to meeting that need. “We’ve set ourselves a big target to sell 480,000 Virtual Pink Seats. And we can’t do it without the support of Australia. Buy your Virtual Pink Seats and help us work towards ensuring no one goes through cancer without the care of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse.”
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said the Pink Test had become a rare moment in elite sport where competition gives way to solidarity. “The Pink Test is one of the most powerful and beloved traditions in world sport – a time when rivalry makes way for unity,” he said. “This NRMA Insurance Pink Test is a chance to come together and rise to the occasion for cancer care, helping the McGrath Foundation continue its vital work of supporting people across Australia experiencing cancer.”
The scale of that work has grown steadily. Since 2005, McGrath Cancer Care Nurses have supported more than 167,000 families, with 343 nurses now delivering free clinical, psychosocial and emotional support across the country.
McGrath Foundation chief executive Holly Masters said the Pink Test remained a reminder of what collective effort can achieve. “Every year, the Pink Test reminds us of the extraordinary things Australia can achieve when we come together,” she said. “Our 343 McGrath Cancer Care Nurses have provided specialised, free support to more than 167,000 families across the country since 2005. As we take our care to all cancers, we’re asking Australia to rise with us so every person facing cancer has access to the support they need. Every Virtual Pink Seat counts.”
She also acknowledged the role of long-standing partners. “We’re incredibly grateful to Cricket Australia and Venues NSW for their continued partnership and commitment to making the Pink Test such a powerful force for good.”
For players, the Sydney Test carries meaning beyond the contest itself. Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc said the match offered a chance to reflect on the wider impact of the event. “Playing in the Ashes is always a privilege and I’m proud of the way our team has come together this series,” he said. “But the Pink Test in Sydney is something special – it’s a chance for all of us to rise for something bigger than cricket, to help families facing cancer. Watching the support for the McGrath Foundation grow every year has been incredible.”
Venues NSW chief executive Kerrie Mather said the SCG’s role in the event had become part of the city’s summer identity. “The Sydney Cricket Ground is proud to once again turn pink in support of the McGrath Foundation,” she said. “The Pink Test is a cherished Sydney new year tradition and a symbol of care and support for people experiencing cancer. Together, we can all rise to the occasion to make sure no one misses out on care.”
Since 2009, the partnership between the McGrath Foundation, Cricket Australia and the SCG has helped turn the Pink Test into one of the world’s largest charitable sporting events. As players take the field in pink baggy caps and fans fill the stands, the message remains simple and enduring: backing cancer care can make a lasting difference for families across Australia.
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