Wellington Phoenix will auction two sets of their 2021/22 playing kits to raise money for brain cancer research, in honour of Wellington teenager Jemima Gazley.
The club's men's and women's teams have both shifted across the Tasman for their respective A-League campaigns - the inaugural season for the newly formed women's squad.
Their playing strip is already much sought after by 'Yellow Fever' fans, but not available for public sale until January.
But two Trade Me auctions will open on November 14, with 100 percent of proceeds donated to the work of Australian researcher Dr Matt Dun, who is trying to find a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) - the form of brain tumour that claimed Gazley's life last month.
Diagnosed with 9-12 months to live in February, Gazley, 15, devoted her final months to raising funds towards Dr Dun's studies, donating her life savings and generating more than $700,000, before her October 12 death.
"Jemima and her bravery had touched the hearts of everyone here at the club," says general manager David Dome. "We wanted to do something, not only to honour her memory, but to help raise awareness about brain tumours and to raise funds to assist in finding a cure for this terrible disease.
"We know our fans are keen to get their hands on our new season playing kits and these two jerseys up for auction are one of only several currently in existence - with the exception of the actual playing kits being worn on opening night.
"Our hope is that our fans and the wider public get in behind these auctions in support of Dr Dun's vital work."
Both teams will wear black armbands in Gazley's memory, when they play their first doubleheader 'home' matches at Wollongong's WIN Stadium on December 3.
"The continuing support of Jemima's Wish, and Matt Dun and his research gives us purpose, and keeps Jemima's legacy front and centre," says father Oliver Gazley.
"DIPG is a disease that many of us have never heard of - we certainly had not. The continuing awareness of this cancer is Jemima's wish and it is our focus.
"We are blessed to have so many supporters to help grow that awareness and raise money to help Matt find a cure. We thank the Phoenix family for this incredible gesture and wish them good luck for 2021/22 season, especially the women's team for their first season in the big league."
