By Callum Ludwig
The 4th edition of the Valley Vicious Rett Syndrome Awareness Cup was a stellar success.
Thousands attended throughout the day to watch local sporting heroes compete in the football and netball tournaments, and enjoy the food, live music, and attractions at the Healesville Sporting Complex.
The football began at 1.30pm in the afternoon in a hotly contested and chaotic women’s game, where a Valley Vicious merch-donning kangaroo even featured to charge through, ball-in-pouch, from the centre square to bag a goal as well as an umpire and player swapping roles mid-game. Brenda Lay was awarded the player of the match.
Undoubtedly the true highlight of the match was Gypsy, the daughter of Valley Vicious Facebook page founder Lee Lawrence, coming on late in the final quarter to kick a goal. Gypsy was diagnosed with Rett syndrome at the age of one, and was the inspiration behind the annual event that raises money for the RETT Syndrome Association of Australia, which operates entirely out of the generosity of donations and fundraising events.
The men’s game kicked off at 5.15pm, with Valley Vicious Blue pulling away in the first half before an inspired Valley Vicious White comeback in the third quarter left scores tight heading into the final term. It was Valley Vicious Blue who held on in the end to win a close contest.
Former AFL stars Josh Fraser, Russell Robertson, Lindsay Gilbee, Brodie Holland, and Austinn Jones were all on the field in the men’s game, but it was young Healesville starlet Max ‘Donnaz’ Donegan who took out the player of the match award with a stunning display of skill and hairstyle, having dyed his mullet purple and raising over $800 personally for the cause.
