Bloody Slow Cup returns and commemorates the life of police and Madison Jones

Newman has again gathered for the Bloody Slow Cup to commemorate the lives of four police officers who were killed 22 years ago. The Bloody Slow Cup weekend, held on October 21-22, is one of the most important days on the Newman calendar. The event remembers Sen. Const. Phillip Ruland, First Class Const. David Dewar, Sen. Const. Donald Everett and Const. Gavin Capes after their plane went down in 2001 when they were returning from duty at the Kiwirrkurra community, killing them instantly. The first Bloody Slow Cup was in 2005, when then officer-in-charge, Geoff Stewart and his colleague from New Zealand, Tony Signal, created the inaugural match as a take-off of the annual Bledisloe Cup played between the Wallabies and All Blacks. Since then the event has expanded to soccer and netball as well. Newman Soccer Association president Hannah Roets said the Bloody Slow Cup was one of the most important events for the small North West town. “It’s one of the biggest events of the year where everyone gets together and we get to raise funds for a great cause,” she said. “It’s great to see the families and we have actually had family members in the past play with us in the soccer matches. It’s been important to get to know them and support them over the last few years.” The women’s soccer match is named after Madison Jones who tragically passed away two years ago during the Bloody Slow Cup. Ms Roets said the women’s match is now played in her honour. “We lost one of our soccer players at the Bloody Slow Cup two years ago where she had a major medical episode at the match,” she said. “We have named the women’s match after her so we pay tribute to her as well with the match. It’s an opportunity to fundraise but also celebrate the life of Madi.” In the women’s match the New Zealand team won 5-0 and the Australian men won their game 4-2.