On a crisp Saturday morning in early July, Hamlyn Oval in Bell Park turned purple.

Not for a final. Not for a club milestone. But for something far deeper: the fourth annual Zoe Kennedy Tribute Match — a day that’s become one of the most meaningful on the local sporting calendar, and one Figurehead is proud to support.

The match honours Zoe Kennedy, a bright, fiercely loved 13-year-old netballer who passed away from an asthma attack in 2020. In the years since, her legacy has only grown — through her family, her teammates, and the thousands who now gather each year in her name.

For us at Figurehead, this day is personal. Zoe’s father, Lach Kennedy, is a long-serving Construction Manager with over 17 years at Figurehead. But more than that, he’s part of the family who built the Zoe Kennedy Foundation from the ground up — turning grief into action, and memory into impact.

Since its beginnings, the Tribute Match has raised over $500,000 to support asthma education and research. It’s helped fund a Virtual Care PhD with Asthma Australia, supported the development of smart inhaler technologies, and rolled out youth-focused asthma education across Victoria. It’s also helped families — particularly in regional areas — feel better equipped to manage asthma in both sport and daily life.

And while the football and netball games still go ahead, it’s the atmosphere around them that defines the day. From the raffle tables to the merch stand, the wine lucky dip to the silent tributes — this is a grassroots effort, powered by the people who loved Zoe, and by those who simply believe that no child should ever miss out on the sport they love.

At Figurehead, we talk a lot about what it means to build something lasting. For us, that includes showing up — for people, for causes, and for the communities we’re part of. Supporting the Tribute Match is a reflection of that. It’s our privilege to walk alongside the Kennedy family, and to help carry Zoe’s story forward — not just in remembrance, but in momentum.

To learn more or support the Zoe Kennedy Foundation, visit zoekennedy.com.au.