Rolux and Cricket SA announce official Protea’s Mo Off

In an effort to help Change the Face of Men’s Health, Cricket South Africa and Rolux, as official partners, have launched the Rolux Cricket South Africa Mo Off which will include Protea’s cricketers, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, and bowling coach Allan Donald growing and grooming their Mo’s for the 30 days of Movember – ensuring that they will be going head-to-head with the Aussies on and off the field.

Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on the faces of millions of men around the world each November. The organisation’s vision is to change the face of men’s health by getting men to grow moustaches for the month while raising funds and awareness for men’s health issues, including prostate and testicular cancers: putting a fun twist on a serious topic and using the moustache as a catalyst to drive awareness.

 “Movember is a fantastic initiative,” says SA cricketer, JP Duminy. “I'm taking part this year in an effort to create awareness, but more importantly, to get people talking about the dangers of and the measures they can take to help prevent prostate and testicular cancer. I probably don't sport the best ‘Mo’ in the team, but I think I have an added incentive to give it a good crack this year. I see a few of the Aussie players will also be growing their Mo's in support of the initiative so I guess it will be a fierce contest both on and off the field. May the best Mo win

Started as a conversation between friends in Australia 11 years ago, Movember has a large and passionate “Mo Bro” and “Mo Sista” (as supporters of the campaign are affectionately referred to) supporter base in the country. The Rolux Cricket South Africa Mo Bro’s will be up against Australian players Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch and Coach Darren Lehmann who will all be sporting their Mo’s for Movember this year.

As these Mo Bros groom their way through the 30 days of Movember, they effectively become walking-talking billboards for men’s health issues, driving conversation, and in turn awareness, while securing donations or sponsorship for their moustaches through  their grooming efforts and fine moustachery. You can follow the Rolux Cricket South Africa Mo Off team’s progress and support Movember by pledging to the team’s “Mo Space” page on http://za.movember.com/team/1516161.

Women are reminded that Movember is not only for their hairier halves – Mo Sistas play an important role in acting as catalysts, encouraging the men in their lives to sign up, rallying the men in the office into teams, while pledging their support and opening dialogue around men’s health.

Each year the Movember campaign has a new theme to ensure that it is relevant and remains fun and fresh. This year’s theme, “Made in Movember”, mirrors the global trend of discarding the mass-produced in favour of supporting locally-produced and authentic, home-grown products, heroes and of course moustaches. 

“Rolux, as a proudly South African brand, is really excited to be a part of this fundraiser event and the challenge seems to fit appropriately in a fun way for many reasons,” says Haim Orlovik, SA Leisure CEO. “Rolux is hitting the peak of our mowing season and what better way to highlight the season with our aligned partners, Movember South Africa and Cricket South Africa, during the South African and Australian tour.”

The funds raised by Movember’s Mo Bros’ & Mo Sistas’ efforts fund survivorship and research programmes that are developed in conjunction with Movember South Africa’s men’s health partner, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). These programmes, in their pilot phases, aim to provide men with the best choices and treatment options available.

“Cancer is a disease that affects many people across the globe so any initiative that can grow awareness will always be important,” adds SA cricketer, Vernon Philander. “I’ve grown a Mo before, I was actually quite proud of it, so I'm really looking forward to what this Movember will bring. Hopefully our participation will get people talking, donating and growing.”

It is not too late for Mo Bro’s and Mo Sista’s to sign up to this year’s Movember campaign – be sure to visit Movember.com to support our local cricketers, to sign up and for more information on how you can help change the face of men’s health.

In case you missed it: East Coast Breakfast men take it off this Movember!