SOUTH-WEST athlete Maddy White is used to big moments on the sporting stage.
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But the former Warrnambool Mermaids basketballer and South Warrnambool and Panmure netballer admitted to some nerves before shaving her head for charity on Sunday.
Family and friends cheered Ms White on as she said goodbye to her long locks at Friendly Societies’ Park.
Ms White, 22, had four braids cut for Wigs for Kids and her head shaved to raise money and awareness for the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation, an international childhood brain cancer research project, and Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
More than $9800 was raised.
“It was an experience and a half but I am just so grateful for everyone who has come and I think we raised more than $2000 with just hair tonight so it’s pretty liberating,” she said.
“It was a very humbling experience.”
Ms White, who thanked South Warrnambool Football Netball Club for donating the rooms and Colac-based barber Leigh Winsor for contributing his expertise, said it would take time to adjust to her new look.
“It feels like a Kiwi fruit I’ve been told by someone,” she said.
“But I am actually more nervous for how it will feel in the cold air and wind.”
Ms White’s partner Jarmin Paddick showed his support, taking to the stage to farewell his long hair too.
“We raised over $1000 for him as well so we’re both just walking around with shaved heads,” she said.
The fundraiser also included a silent auction and barbecue.
The chance to chop Ms White’s long braids proved a popular moneymaker too.
But Ms White, who was named most valuable player in the Mermaids’ fairytale Big V division two championship in 2017, said she opted against setting a tally target.
“To be honest, I haven’t even thought about it,” she said.
“I am just here for a good time and whatever we raise will go towards a great foundation.
“It’s for kids with brain cancer, there’s not a very good prognosis out there.
“I think if we can raise awareness and raise funds and we can get other alternative measures out there that can treat it then hopefully we can come up with a cure and save some kids.”
Ms White, a university student now based in Melbourne, credited her family and friends who attended the fundraiser for “all playing a part in my life, one way or another”.