When Kwinana Knights Football Club runs onto the field for Play in Purple this July, it will be more than a show of colour. It will be a tribute, a community effort and a powerful call for greater awareness of pancreatic cancer.
On Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July 2026, the club will once again turn purple in support of Pankind, raising vital awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research, advocacy and support.
For Club President Noah Kirkwood, Play in Purple is about much more than football. It is a way to honour his mum, who passed away from pancreatic cancer just one week before the club’s first Play in Purple event.
“We started it because my mum had pancreatic cancer,” Noah said. “She ultimately passed a week before the first year we were going to do it.”
About Play in Purple
Play in Purple is Pankind’s national sporting campaign, bringing community sporting clubs across Australia together to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer. Each year, players take to the field or court in purple socks, sparking conversations in local communities and showing support for people and families impacted by the disease.
For Kwinana Knights, the campaign has become a much-loved annual tradition that brings together players, families, volunteers and supporters in honour of those affected by pancreatic cancer.
For Noah, the response to Play in Purple has been overwhelming.
“It’s been pretty humbling to see that sort of response from the community,” he said.
Over the past two years, the club has raised more than $60,000 for Pankind. But while the fundraising total is significant, Noah said the real purpose of the day has always been to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer — a disease many people know little about until it affects someone they love.
It was never really about the money for me, it was more about raising awareness.
For Pankind, that visibility matters. Every purple sock, every conversation and every club that gets involved helps bring pancreatic cancer out of the shadows and build momentum for better outcomes for people and families impacted by the disease.
A whole-club effort in 2026
In 2026, Kwinana Knights’ Play in Purple event is set to be bigger than ever.
For the first time, all four of the club’s teams will wear Pankind guernseys, after the club secured four sets of playing jumpers through the support of sponsors.
Across the weekend of 11-12 July 2026 the club will also host a range of fundraising activities, with the Kwinana Knights community once again stepping up to support the cause.
This year, WA Football and media representatives are also expected to capture the day for a documentary-style feature, helping share the club’s story and shine an even brighter light on the cause.
For Noah, seeing the event continue to grow is a reflection of the strength of the club and the people within it.
“It’s a family club. My brothers are involved, my partner is involved, and everyone has really got behind it. - Noah
Remembering a much-loved footy mum
While Play in Purple has become a major club event, its beginnings remain deeply personal.
Noah’s mum was well known around the Kwinana Knights community. A dedicated “footy mum”, she rarely missed a game and was always part of the club in one way or another.
Whether she was volunteering, cheering from the sidelines or simply being there for her family and the club, Noah said his mum was a familiar and much-loved presence.
“Everyone around the club knew her. She just loved her footy.”
The fact she did not get to see the first Play in Purple event remains painful, but Noah hopes she would be proud of what the day has become.
“She missed the first event by a week, which was pretty tough,” he said. “I hope she’d be proud of what it’s led to.”
A safe space for the community
Beyond the fundraising and the football, Noah hopes Play in Purple gives people a place to come together, remember loved ones and support those facing cancer.
“We just want people to put their arms around those struggling with this sort of thing,” he said.
For many in the Kwinana Knights community, the event has become a day to honour, reflect and stand alongside people who have been touched by cancer in some way.
“If we can offer a bit of a safe space and a round to look forward to, and celebrate those people, that ticks a lot of boxes for me personally,” Noah said.
His message to other clubs thinking about getting involved is simple.
“Just get behind it, it’s an amazing cause.”
What began as one family’s personal connection has grown into a powerful annual tradition — one that now sees the Kwinana Knights community come together in purple to honour Noah’s mum, support families impacted by pancreatic cancer and help create greater awareness through the game they love.
Together towards $1 million
While Kwinana Knights will hold their event earlier in July, most clubs will take to the field in purple on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July 2026.
Pankind wishes every club, player, volunteer and supporter a wonderful Play in Purple weekend as we work together towards our 2026 goal of raising $1 million for pancreatic cancer research, advocacy and support.
