Members of the Manly Women’s Touch Pub2Pub Team – Willard’s Wombats

A special group of ladies from the Manly Warringah Touch Association have a special reason for running in this year’s Pub2Pub.

Peta Willard

These ladies have played together representing their club in both the weekly Vawdon Cup competition and at Senior State Cup level for many years. Earlier this year, they lost one of their team mates, Peta Willard, to melanoma.

Peta was a 36 year old mother of two young boys, a loving wife, daughter and granddaughter. She was also an inspirational teacher to many and led a very active life. Her Touch Footy team mates miss her terribly.

“It was an absolute privilege playing alongside Peta”, said Pub2Pub Team Organiser Jackie Francis this week. “She had a real presence and was a real team player, always giving so much to those around her. We’re getting the gang back together in her honour, running in the Pub2Pub to raise funds for the Melanoma Institute Australia. And we’ve almost reached our goal of $1,500!”

The Team is competing as ‘Willard’s Wombats’. The ladies are using the Pub2Pub as part of their training regimen in preparation for another crack at the Senior State Cup in December. “Winning the State Cup would be a wonderful way to honour Peta’s memory”, said Jackie. “But first, it’s the Pub2Pub.”

Click here to support Willard’s Wombats and the Melanoma Institute Australia.