More Than a Game: Clubs Unite for the Fight Against MND
05 Jun, 2026
The fight against Motor Neuron Disease is gathering more and more supporters from the footballing community across the country, and Perth is no different.
The recent passing of the founder of FightMND, Neale Daniher, has deeply affected many across the PFL. Daniher’s resilience throughout his decade-long battle with MND has inspired many to carry on his legacy, spreading awareness and driving community fundraising in the hope of finding a cure.
Kingsway, Warwick Greenwood, Baldivis and Mount Lawley are just a few of the many clubs the PFL is proud to spotlight for their efforts in the fight against MND.
Across the competition, clubs are rallying behind the cause this weekend, with Warwick Greenwood set to run out in special FightMND jumpers, while fundraising initiatives continue at clubs including Kingsway, Baldivis and Mount Lawley.
“The FightMND campaign holds a deeply personal meaning for our playing group and our wider club community,” said Warwick Greenwood president Aaron Clinch.
In 2023, Warwick Greenwood was shocked by the news that one of their players and committee member Graham Hibbert was diagnosed with MND at the age of 38. The beloved clubman was met with the full support of the community, raising funds for FightMND and Racing for MNDi for the next two years, before sadly passing away in June last year.
“Supporting FightMND is our way of honouring him — not just his fight but the impact he had on our club as a teammate, a friend and a community member,” said Clinch.
“His strength, his spirit and the way our club rallied around him and his family have shaped who we are. It reminds us that footy clubs are more than teams, they’re families.”
Similarly, four years ago, Kingsway’s committee discovered that multiple people at the club had been directly or indirectly affected by MND. The club quickly got involved in the cause.
In the first year, Kingsway raised over $8,000; in the second, $13,000; last year, $18,000. The club continues to aim higher, already raising over $20,000, with treasurer Michael Wilden quietly confident the total will reach $25,000.
“We’ve reshuffled our fixtures to make sure everyone can make it for the dunking at halftime. We’ve also got our juniors involved, so we’re all one — because we need to be all one to get it done,” Wilden said.
“It’s very uniting. People see it as let’s get involved. How can we help? What can we do? We’re just happy to play a part for our community.”
At Baldivis, the same spirit has taken hold. Events coordinator Kayleigh Richardson says the club has wanted to take part in the Big Freeze for several years, and this season felt like the right moment.
“We’ve got a few people in our club that unfortunately have had family members touched by this horrible disease,” Richardson said. “And I think anyone playing footy gets inspiration from Neale Daniher and what he’s been doing.”
The club has already sold out of a run of MND beanies, raising around $2,500 before the weekend even arrives. The centrepiece of their round is a dunk tank featuring 24 volunteers spanning the entire club, from junior players to senior coaches.
“I thought we might get maybe ten people happy to do the dunk tank,” Richardson said. “I’ve actually had to close nominations.”
Baldivis were pleasantly surprised when this weekend’s A-grade opponents, Mount Lawley, reached out unprompted to help contribute to the total amount raised, with their president also nominating himself for the dunk tank.
The Big Freeze has become a symbol of everything Daniher stood for, galvanising communities in the battle against MND. This weekend, all three clubs will be taking part, providing laughter and joy in the face of adversity.
“I didn’t realise just how many people his story touched,” Richardson said. “My eleven-year-old daughter was so sad, thinking the Big Freeze was going to stop because Neale wasn’t here anymore. I said no, it gives us more reason to keep going.”
Neale Daniher’s message was simple: resilience, courage, and the power of choice in the face of adversity. This weekend, the PFL is proud to stand alongside all the clubs carrying that message forward.
Written by Oliver Mcfarland.
