Come and see the 'Teal' thing

NEW South Wales harness racing fans have been urged to “Come and See the Teal Thing” as the industry pledges its extended support for women’s health.

Harness Racing NSW is again backing the annual WomenCan Team Teal campaign which raises awareness and much-needed funds for ovarian cancer research.

It is the seventh year HRNSW has supported the Team Teal campaign, raising more than $200,000 for the cause through on-track performance.

The Team Teal initiative, through its various fundraising initiatives, has garnered more than $2 million since its inception.

This year, Amanda Turnbull, Ellen Bartley, KerryAnn Morris, Ashley Hart and Jemma Coney will again be official NSW ambassadors in the teal colours throughout the campaign.

They will be joined by Grace Panella, who is taking on an ambassadorial role the first time.

“I am incredibly proud to be coming on board as an ambassador to not only represent the outstanding group of women currently in our sport but also those who have gone before us and paved the way over the years,” Grace said.

“Harness racing is doing a brilliant job in raising both money and awareness for the Team Teal campaign and the fight against ovarian cancer, which we know doesn’t discriminate and can affect females of all ages.”

New South Wales drivers and trainers will be looking to eclipse last year’s record fundraising tally of more than $50,000 – calculated through on-track success during the campaign period by female drivers and trainers.

New South Wales is the only state to commit extra donations when female trainers achieve a race win.

The tally will accrue through victories during the campaign period from 1 February to 15 March:

• Amanda Turnbull, KerryAnn Morris & Ellen Bartley – trains & drives the winner – $600 from HRNSW;
• Amanda Turnbull, KerryAnn Morris & Ellen Bartley – trains the winner but doesn’t drive the horse however the driver wears the colours (female or male) – $400 from HRNSW;
• One of the six ambassadors drives a winner that is trained by someone else – $400 from HRNSW;
• All other female drivers drives the winner – $200 from HRNSW.

“Harness Racing New South Wales is delighted to again be supporting the Team Teal campaign. We are an industry that is blessed with an amazing group of female participants and this is an opportunity shine a spotlight on their skills and raise money and awareness for a wonderful cause at the same time,” said HRNSW Chief Executive John Dumesny.

WomenCan Head of Fundraising and Development Karen Livingstone said the financial contribution of the harness racing industry through the Team Teal campaign has made a significant difference to many lives across Australia and New Zealand.

“Most women with ovarian cancer will be diagnosed with an advanced stage, because there is no detection test or screening method. Awareness of the disease and its symptoms is an important tool that the Team Teal campaign generates,” Ms Livingstone said.

“It is fabulous that the harness racing community understands the significance of this awareness and raises funds to support the Survivors Teaching Students program educating medical students across Australia and New Zealand. HRNSW had an outstanding fundraising total in 2021, and we are looking forward to them Tealing up the track again in 2022.”

Nationwide, 245 women contributed to the fundraising tally through their performances last year and 85 of those efforts were notched by New South Wales drivers and trainers during the campaign period.

• HRNSW Media