The women’s and second grade teams will wear new jumpers for their clashes with Deniliquin.

The jumpers are in the purple and gold colours of Relay For Life and bear its logo.

Steamers club captain Elyse Burns said it was a significant gesture in the club’s history.

“Not many of us actually got to meet John,” she said.

“But we are more than aware of the legacy he left for the Steamers and rugby union generally.

“We feel it important we honour and cherish his memory and that legacy.

“John died of cancer and we thought this was an appropriate way to do that.”

Burns said the Steamers would have a strong presence at this year’s Relay For Life.

“We have a team entered — Albury Wodonga Steamers RUFC — and these jumpers will be auctioned at the mid-season ball on Saturday night and the proceeds will go towards our fund raising efforts,” she said.

Border Relay For Life chairman Carl Friedlieb said he was impressed by the initiative.

“It is a great way to honour and recognise John’s legacy,” he said.

“The Steamers’ idea is just another example of how people can go about raising funds for the Border Relay For Life on October 24 to 25.

“We are very grateful for the Steamers’ efforts.”

John Sykes’ wife Virginia was touched by the gesture.

“John would have felt honoured to be remembered in this way,” she said.

“I don’t know if our son Nick is playing on Saturday but he has been instructed to bid strongly for the No. 5 jumper — his dad’s number — at the ball.”