Movember: Men of the match

Media Release
Tuesday 15 October, 2013
Men of the match

Veteran sports commentator, John McBeth, would love to see the recent All Black victory over South Africa result in better health for Kiwi men.

McBeth, who has broadcast at several Olympics, America’s Cup regattas and numerous rugby tests is heavily involved in men’s health as the Cancer Society’s Movember Ambassador. He, like so many New Zealanders, rates the most recent test as among the best he’s seen in over 50 years of watching.

“The game was unbelievably tense and exciting- a rare test match. If all those people thrilled by the victory engaged in Movember - we’d have a stunningly successful campaign- a men’s health victory to match the rugby!”

Funds raised through the popular moustache-growing event totalled 1.6 million dollars in New Zealand last year and were split between the Cancer Society and Mental Health Foundation. Several prominent sportspeople either grew moustaches or supported colleagues who were brave enough to sprout some extra hair, including All Blacks Conrad, Ben and Aaron Smith, Richie McCaw and Brodie Retalick and All Whites Ben Sigmund and Andrew Durante.

“Regular Movember participants get involved because they can have a lot of fun in a fund raising campaign that’s a bit different, and at the same time be exposed to the best health messages available, especially regarding testicular and prostate cancer”.

McBeth says there’s plenty of evidence that the young people, who get a great kick out of Movember, are the ones who are encouraging the older males in their families, to take better care of themselves. “The young guys and women are pointing the finger at their fathers and urging them to take notice of the Movember messages.”

Registering for Movember takes less than 90 seconds and does not commit a person to growing a moustache - there are lots of ways to support the campaign. The website is http://nz.movember.com

ENDS

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