Inaugural Bangka Day Memorial Cup to be held this weekend

24 July 2026

By ALEXANDRA BULL

There will be a special element to the Hostplus SANFLW League’s Energised Round match between West Adelaide and Central District at Allied Waste Stadium (formerly Richmond Oval) this Saturday.

For the first time, the Bangka Day Memorial Cup and the Vivian Bullwinkel Best on Ground Medal will be awarded to the winning team, and the player judged best afield.

The cup and medal will be presented by the SA Women’s Memorial Trust, who oversee the SA Women’s Memorial Playing Fields, which are located on the corner of Shepherds Hill and Ayliffes Roads, St Marys.

The SA Women’s Memorial Playing Fields are dedicated in memory of the Australian servicewomen who served during World War II, with a particular focus on the Bangka Strait Massacre of 1942.

The memorial honours the 21 Australian Army nurses who were killed after surrendering on Bangka Island, as well as Vivian Bullwinkel, the sole survivor, whose courage and lifelong commitment to remembering her fellow nurses helped ensure their story would never be forgotten.

“The Bangka Day Memorial Cup and the presentation of the Vivian Bullwinkel Best on Ground Medal are powerful reminders of the courage, service and sacrifice of Australian servicewomen,” SA Women’s Memorial Trust President Jackie Woods said.

“It is particularly meaningful to see this legacy honoured through women’s sport, where many AFLW and SANFLW players have served, or continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force.

“These events create an important connection between past and present, recognising the remarkable contribution of women who have served our nation while celebrating the strength, leadership and determination displayed by women on the sporting field today.”

West Adelaide will host Central District tomorrow at 5pm as part of the Round 12 Hostplus SANFLW League Energised Round at Allied Waste Stadium (formerly Richmond Oval).

Glenelg v North Adelaide | 10:30am

Norwood v Sturt | 12:40pm

Woodville-West Torrens v South Adelaide | 2:50pm

West Adelaide v Central District | 5pm