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Sport Nation
Dees star to honour an amazing Mum in Round 22
Tom Portet • August 8th, 2025 11:25 am
Originally appeared in the AFL Record.
When Melbourne’s Ed Langdon runs out at the MCG on Sunday wearing Rina Portet’s name on his guernsey, three young footy-mad fans will experience a great feeling of pride.
Hugo, 14, Hazel, 12, and Edgar, 10, will get to see their mum’s name on one of the most famous sporting grounds in the world.
Rina died last year after a courageous 10-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was a Danish badminton champion who brought that fighting spirit to everything she did – especially being a mum.
Even during her toughest days, she was always more interested in hearing about the kids’ day than talking about her own battles.
She showed us how to live an amazing life even when things seem impossibly tough.
Melbourne’s Pink Lady Match initiative, in partnership with Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and Zurich, gives three kids something to be incredibly proud of.
They get to see their mum honoured, not as someone who lost a battle, but as someone who fought with extraordinary grace and strength. She set Hugo, Hazel and Edgar confidently down the path of life – a resounding victory.
Rina was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer when she was pregnant with Edgar and over 10 years, BCNA was a lifeline for her.
Even from our home in country Victoria, the organisation provided resources, community, and the reassurance that she was never alone.
Rina was proud to contribute to their mission of supporting other families walking similar paths.
Rina’s children are football-mad sport lovers, and they adore going to the MCG – footy grounds have been places of great release.
Seeing their mum’s name on Ed’s guernsey will make them proud, and they know Rina would be thrilled – especially for the joy it brings them.
On Sunday, Ed carries more than just Rina’s name – he carries the love, strength, and fighting spirit she instilled in three kids, who now carry her legacy forward.
To stand with others whose names are being carried is a powerful reminder of the BCNA’s commitment to Australians affected by breast cancer and to be there for them at every stage.
More than 21,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year; thousands, like Rina, will live with it for the rest of their lives.
To show your support buy a virtual place in the Pink Lady at pinkladymatch.com.au
TOM PORTET is Rina’s husband.
