Brodie Pearson was a popular front rower for the Aberglasslyn Ants Rugby League Club. Sadly, in June last year he suffered a fatal injury during a game.
The Club was heartbroken, the death the second in just a week after they lost former Ants player Lynan Scott in the Hunter Valley bus crash at Greta.
As country clubs do, the Aberglasslyn Ants rallied around each other and in October last year held several fundraisers including the inaugural Brodie Pearson Memorial Rugby League 9s Day to honour their fallen teammate and raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS).
The Service transported Brodie from the playing ground to hospital where sadly he later died.
“When we lost Brodie playing the game he loved it really hit home and impacted the Club a lot and still does to this day,” said event organiser and player Jack Kelly.
“We want to honour Brodie by doing something that he loved.”
Last year, 16 teams competed from across the Hunter Valley.
“This year we have 16 rugby league 9 aside games featuring open womens and open mens teams from as far as Sydney and across the Central Coast and Newcastle.”
The $100 from each team’s entry fee will be donated to the WRHS as well as all of the gate takings. There is a charity raffle planned for the day with a number of items including a part of signed match worn boots from Knights’ player Brodie Jones.
Brodie Pearson’s family have been right behind everything the club has done to remember their footy loving son and brother.
“To have a Memorial Day in honour of our loved one is very important to us. It allows all the people who were important to Brodie and the entire community to come together and celebrate his life and passion for football,” said Cassie Pearson, Brodie’s sister.
“The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service were the true heroes of Brodie’s tragic accident. They allowed Brodie to have a fighting chance to save his life.”
