ID :
210483
Fri, 09/30/2011 - 15:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/210483
The shortlink copeid
Christchurch is Brown's NRL inspiration
SYDNEY (AAP) - 30 SEPT - Warriors centre Lewis Brown need only look to his left arm to seek motivation on Sunday afternoon.
There, wrapped around a bulging bicep as he runs out on grand final day to play Manly will be a black armband, as it has been throughout the NRL season.
"This weekend will be like every weekend - I'll wear the black armband for the people that lost their lives down there," the Christchurch-born star says of his tribute to the 181 people who perished inthe February 22 earthquake.
"I won't be changing anything, I'll be wearing them on my sleeve and playing for my people of Christchurch."
As the only Cantabrian in the Warriors side, the events of February 22 affected Brown more than anyone else at the club, even more so when you consider his family still lives in Christchurch.
He admits he found it hard to focus on football at the start of the year, with the steady flow of aftershocks - which have yet to cease - doing little to ease his concern.
He credits the rock in his life - mum Trish - for helping him get through the toughest times.
"I'm pretty close to my family, but all it took was a phone call from them saying 'don't worry about us, just worry about your footy," he recalls.
"It still plays on my mind because we don't know when it's going to stop down there, that's probably the saddest thing for them, each day they don't know what's going to happen."
But even on the darkest of days, Brown provides a glimmer of inspiration, as he sets about trying to help the Warriors become the first side outside Australia to claim the NRL premiership.
And his biggest fan will be there on Sunday to help cheer him on.
"Mum and her partner are coming over from Christchurch, making the trip across - for me that's exciting," Brown said.
"Mum's been there since day one, she raised me and my sister by herself as a single mum.
"The smile on my face - you look at my mum's and it's probably three times bigger.
"I know how hard it has been for them (the Christchurch region) this year - just the little things, my junior club how they've been rocked with the junior ground - just to have me in the final representing them makes them pretty proud as well."
There, wrapped around a bulging bicep as he runs out on grand final day to play Manly will be a black armband, as it has been throughout the NRL season.
"This weekend will be like every weekend - I'll wear the black armband for the people that lost their lives down there," the Christchurch-born star says of his tribute to the 181 people who perished inthe February 22 earthquake.
"I won't be changing anything, I'll be wearing them on my sleeve and playing for my people of Christchurch."
As the only Cantabrian in the Warriors side, the events of February 22 affected Brown more than anyone else at the club, even more so when you consider his family still lives in Christchurch.
He admits he found it hard to focus on football at the start of the year, with the steady flow of aftershocks - which have yet to cease - doing little to ease his concern.
He credits the rock in his life - mum Trish - for helping him get through the toughest times.
"I'm pretty close to my family, but all it took was a phone call from them saying 'don't worry about us, just worry about your footy," he recalls.
"It still plays on my mind because we don't know when it's going to stop down there, that's probably the saddest thing for them, each day they don't know what's going to happen."
But even on the darkest of days, Brown provides a glimmer of inspiration, as he sets about trying to help the Warriors become the first side outside Australia to claim the NRL premiership.
And his biggest fan will be there on Sunday to help cheer him on.
"Mum and her partner are coming over from Christchurch, making the trip across - for me that's exciting," Brown said.
"Mum's been there since day one, she raised me and my sister by herself as a single mum.
"The smile on my face - you look at my mum's and it's probably three times bigger.
"I know how hard it has been for them (the Christchurch region) this year - just the little things, my junior club how they've been rocked with the junior ground - just to have me in the final representing them makes them pretty proud as well."
