By Martin Vedris
SYDNEY, NSW: In Australia, Father’s Day is the first Sunday of September, so there are just a few days left to vote for the Sports Dad of the Year awards and win a Philips grooming pack.
Mother’s Day is the second Sunday of May, but Father’s Day is the first Sunday of the month of September, which means it’s this coming Sunday!
To promote its range of male grooming products, and demonstrate the increasing link between high profile professional sports and male body grooming, Philips has launched its Sports Dad of the Year awards, where consumers can vote for their favourite sports star and then go into the draw for a Philips Father’s Day Grooming Pack, including the Speed XL Electric Shaver, 7-in-1 Grooming Kit, 180 degree Hair Clippers and the Bodygroom all over grooming solution.
There is an increasing link between high profile professional sports and male body grooming because only 5 years ago it was mainly cyclists, triathletes and swimmers who shaved body hair, but now more and more athletes from all sports are removing hair for sporting purposes — it makes strapping less painful and massage smoother.
In its inaugural year, the Philips Sports Dad of the Year promotion has highlighted 12 elite athletes, giving insights into how they juggle fatherhood and their sporting commitments. The 12 nominated Sports Dad’s are profiled on a dedicated website, www.sportsdads.com.au, which includes questions and answers and family photos.
NRL stars that can be voted on in these awards include the Warrior’s Steve Price, the Bulldogs’ Brett Kimmorley; John Skandalis of the Wests Tigers, Sam Perrett of the Sydney Roosters, the Brisbane Broncos’ Tonie Carroll and Wendell Sailor of St George Illawarra.
Flying the flag for the AFL is Sydney Swans’ Michael O’Loughlin, as well as Essendon’s Matthew Lloyd and the Western Bulldogs’ Adam Cooney.
Also in the running for Sports Dad of the Year is Aussie Tennis star Peter Luczak and Australian Soccer Captain of Sydney FC Steve Corica, who is joined on the voting panel by fellow Socceroo, striker Archie Thompson.
Every person who votes for their favourite Sports Dad will enter the competition to win one of four $5,000 Philips Ultimate Father’s Day Grooming Packs and the winning Philips Sports Dad of the Year 2009 will win $5000 from Philips to donate to their charity of choice.