On a day when inspiration is drawn upon to get the most out of players and teams, nothing was more inspiring than the presence of Chris Richardson from the Maroochydore Roos at the AFL Sunshine Coast Junior Grand Finals last…
On a day when inspiration is drawn upon to get the most out of players and teams, nothing was more inspiring than the presence of Chris Richardson from the Maroochydore Roos at the AFL Sunshine Coast Junior Grand Finals last Sunday.
Chris is a year nine Maroochydore High student who earlier in the year was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer.
Chris played several with the Roos Under 16s team at the beginning of the AFL season and has been a notable absence from the field since he began undergoing numerous surgeries and chemotherapy treatment.
With Maroochydore teams out in force on Grand Final day (five teams) Chris and his family were out to support his club and team.
While Chris’s team didn’t come away with the flag in the Under 16 Division One Grand Final there was plenty more for him to smile about on the day.
During the official Grand Final Bupa presentation the Kawana Park Eagles Junior Australian Football Club presented the Richardson family with a cheque for $500.
The Eagles players wanted to show their support for Chris, his family and the Maroochydore Roos with money raised from their club through their kick-a-thon and pie night.
The Under 16s Eagles players approached their Club Committee to ask for this special donation to the Richardson family.
Kawana Park were more than willing to financially support the Chris Richardson appeal which highlighted that while the two clubs may fight it out on the field, as AFL clubs on the coast they are one entity that support each other.
AFL Sunshine Coast Club Development Officer, Paul Tresise noted in the Under 16 presentation that nothing is more important to the AFL community than family.
“AFL on the Sunshine Coast is not just a sport, it is a culture that is built on family values and that has really shone through the Maroochydore footy club,” Tresise said.
“Chris is here today and it is a huge effort for him and his family to be here supporting the Roos and it really goes to show how the AFL family is prepared to support the Richardson family and how appreciative they are of that support.”
Throughout his fight against cancer, Chris and the Richardson family have received overwhelming support from not only the AFL community, but also the Maroochy Cricket Club, Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club and Riverlife Community Church.
Show your support for Chris and the Richardson family on their website: Click Here
Follow Chris’s journey on Facebook: Click Here
