Coolamon receive timely advice

By James Matthey

As finals time approaches, teams will be looking to gain any advantage they can over their rivals, be it physical or psychological.

However, sometimes in life there are more important things than sport, and for the players at Coolamon, a stirring address by motivational speaker Barnaby Howarth last week will help them with more than just their football.

Howarth recited his own inspirational story to a packed crowd of players, supporters and community members at Coolamon Golf Club, and it was a story worth listening to.

Howarth was diagnosed with type one diabetes at 14, but overcame that to captain Pennant Hills, represent Sydney AFL  and be drafted by the Sydney Swans.

However, Howarth’s promising career was cut short in an instant when, on a night out with teammates, he suffered a stroke after being attacked during a fight.

He was in a coma for four days, eventually realising that almost his entire left side was paralysed.

In a remarkable turnaround, Howarth recently returned to competitive football after eight years of painstaking rehabilitation.

Coolamon President, Warren McLoughlin, said his story was a real eye-opener for players at the club to help them realise the importance of making the most of life.

“When you shove that story in front of blokes it makes them sit up and take notice,” McLoughlin said.

“It’s good for our guys, not so much their development as footballers, but for their development as blokes.

“Barnaby’s story is something a bit left-field and it’s good for people to hear it.”