Awareness campaign hails Sumner

Steve Sumner.
Steve Sumner.
New Zealand Football is urging everyone taking the field tomorrow to play not just for their team but for Steve.

The "Play it for Steve" campaign is to play tribute to 1982 World Cup captain Steve Sumner, who is battling prostate cancer.

The campaign serves to pay tribute to the remarkable career of the 1982 World Cup squad captain and his contribution to football in this country, as well as to raise awareness of prostate cancer and encourage men to get regular checkups.

It has the support of Sumner and his family, independent supporters group Friends of Football and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, whose own Blue September awareness campaign begins just after the "Play It For Steve" weekend.

The main event of "Play It for Steve" will be the renaming of a stand in his honour at English Park in Christchurch — the scene of many triumphs during his time as a player — by the Mainland Football Federation tomorrow.

New Zealand Football has also encouraged all clubs to dedicate matches this weekend to Sumner and the wider fight against prostate cancer via after-match speeches and PA announcements.

Sumner, who played 105 times for the All Whites and scored 27 goals, said in a statement he felt  humbled and privileged to be at the centre of such a campaign and was pleased to be able to use his standing in the game to spread awareness of prostate cancer.

"It’s an honour for my family and I to be the focus of this weekend," he said.

"For me now, I feel I’m not losing any dignity bringing awareness about prostate cancer — in fact, I gain strength from making men aware."

New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin was delighted to support such a worthy cause while also paying tribute to the exploits of one of this country’s favourite footballing sons.

"Steve Sumner is a legend of our game and will be forever associated with one of our most successful periods after leading the 1982 team to the World Cup — our first-ever appearance on the biggest stage," Martin said.

"He has made a massive contribution to football in New Zealand and served as an inspiration to many involved in the game.

"His battle against prostate cancer is proving just as inspirational and we are pleased to get behind his bid to use his situation to encourage other men to look after their health."

● Caversham beat Green Island 5-0 in a catch-up premier league match at Tonga Park on Wednesday night.

The match was played in tough conditions and was scoreless at the break.

Caversham now has the chance to bring up a perfect season tomorrow — 18 wins from as many games — when it plays Mosgiel at the Caledonian Ground at noon.

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