Tasmania’s female drivers once again have joined their Australasian counterparts for the 2020 Team Teal campaign.
The campaign commenced in Tasmania in Devonport last Sunday and will run through to 15 March across Australasia however Tasmania will include the Australian Female Drivers Championship meeting that will be held this year in Launceston on 22 March.
The Team Teal campaign sees female drivers wear teal driving pants instead of the normal whites as they raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research as part of the Women’s Cancer Foundation.
All controlling bodies are donating to the cause for each winner driven by one of the 291 female drivers’ in their jurisdiction including Tasracing who will donate $200 for every winner driven by a female driver in Tasmania.
“We are very pleased to continue our financial support for the Australian New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOC) and it’s research,” stated Paul Eriksson, the CEO of Tasracing. “It would be incredible if a cure could be discovered for ovarian cancer and Tasracing hopes that money raised assists in making a difference”.
Several corporate sponsors and race clubs have also jumped on board for fund-raising efforts including the Devonport Harness Racing Club who will donate $100 for every win by a female driver on their track.
Funds raised will support research nurses delivering treatments in newly established research sites in Australia and New Zealand hospitals, helping provide greater access to clinical trials for women with gynaecological cancer.
Last month Tasracing announced their ambassadors for this year’s promotion with Samantha Gangell and mini trot driver Tamsyn Davis.
Gangell, 21, drove 30 winners last season including a heat of the Australian Female Drivers Championship in Brisbane.
So far this season she has been in the winner’s circle on 11 occasions.
“I’m looking forward to being part of team teal again this year. It is a fantastic cause and it is great that every female driver across Australia and New Zealand is supporting the cause. It’s an honour to be the ambassador for team teal in Tasmania this year” said Gangell.
The young driver will be hoping she can continue her good association with leading trainer Ben Yole during the promotion.
“While training a team of my own I drive at every meeting in the state for the leading trainer in the state, Ben Yole amongst several other trainers so hopefully I can do my best and get as many wins as I can for the cause,” added the trainer-driver.
The drivers for the Australian Drivers Championship in Launceston on 22 March will be announced later in the month.
You can find more information on the Team Teal campaign here.