The scorecard from the 2025 Boxing Day Test health checks is in, with more than 7,400 Shane Warne Legacy Health Checks resulting in over one third of participants being encouraged to see their GP for a follow-up discussion.
The off-field findings highlight the importance of preventative screening, as more than a quarter of those encouraged to see their GP were prompted because of type 2 diabetes risk.
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said identifying people at risk of type 2 diabetes early is critically important.
“The great thing about the SWL Health Checks is that they are free, quick and self-serve, and can help start a conversation with a health professional,” Ms Cain said.
“While not all diabetes can be prevented, we know that 58 percent of type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented or delayed. For that to happen, we need to reach people who are at risk, and at this year’s Test we’ve done that for thousands of individuals.
“Shane was a beloved figure not just in Australian sports but as an iconic personality with a passion for community. Diabetes Australia is proud to partner with SWL to encourage greater diabetes awareness and screening,” she said.
The Shane Warne Legacy CEO Helen Nolan said “we’re learning so much at the Legacy, but one lesson keeps coming back to me: our bodies talk to us. Through ways we can easily brush off as nothing.
“In early February 2022 Shane said to me, ‘For the first time in my life I feel exhausted. I need a proper break. Three months. Is there a way?’
“I had never heard him say that before. So, I cleared his schedule. Declined invitations. Moved commitments. Blocked out three full months. He was on Day 1 of that break.
“And contrary to what was reported, he wasn’t seeing a heart specialist or any doctor. He had no idea what was about to unfold.
“It’s such a simple lesson, but I think about it every day: when your body speaks, listen.
“That’s exactly why the Shane Warne Legacy exists. We’ve made it easy to check your health for free in just four minutes, no appointment needed. You can sit down at a self-serve machine and know your numbers. Why wouldn’t you?” Ms Nolan said.
Free Shane Warne Legacy (SWL) Health Checks were offered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for two days during the Boxing Day Test, in partnership with the Legacy’s founding partner, Latrobe Health Services, and health partner Diabetes Australia.
During the Test, 56 SiSU Health Stations were available throughout the MCG, giving cricket fans easy access to quick, non-invasive health assessments. Each self-serve station measures blood pressure, body composition, heart rate, and BMI, with results delivered instantly on-screen and via the SiSU Health mobile app
Participants’ 5-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes was measured using the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk (AUDSRISK) tool, delivered via the Health Station.
A participant follow-up survey sent to all health check participants four weeks after testing sought to understand the impact of the health checks on participant lifestyle choices, basic health literacy, and GP outcomes.
Of the survey respondents, almost two-thirds (65%) had made or plan lifestyle changes within the 4 weeks, whilst over three-quarters (77%) were more confident understanding their heart health and diabetes risk.
Over 430,000 free Shane Warne Legacy health checks have been undertaken over the past two years. To find a Shane Warne Legacy Health Check near you, visit www.shanewarnelegacy.com
