Daniel’s Tribute

DANIEL’S TRIBUTE

ABOUT DANIEL

On July 8, 2013, Daniel lost his battle with a brain tumour, dying peacefully in the night. Daniel was just 22 years of age.

Daniel was not a sporty person in his youth, when he attended Pacific Hills Christian School, in the Hills area of Sydney. At the age of 16, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Daniel started swimming to help in his recovery. Two years later he attended an APC Paralympic Talent Search Day and it was recommended he try football and athletics. Within months he was selected in an Australian seven-a-side football team for athletes with cerebral palsy and he played in the national team at the CPISPA International Football Championships in Holland. His highlight was scoring a goal during the tournament.

His athletics career also was blossoming and in 2008, aged 17, he won six medals at the CIS school athletics, including three gold and was named CIS disability athlete of the year. He competed in track events up to 800m, long jump, shot and discus.

In 2009 his athletics career really took off and he set an Australian under-20 AWD record in the 800m and the following year he was named in national squads. At the 2010 state championships he set national under-20 records in 200m, 400m, 800m and long jump. His dream of representing Australia in athletics was fulfilled in February 2011 when he lined up in the green and gold at the IPC World Championships in Christchurch. He placed seventh in the 1500m and ninth in the 800m. In late 2011, Daniel received a NSWIS scholarship to assist his sporting career.

A key person during his career was his caring coach Matt Rawlings, a young coach based in the Hills area who specialises in guiding AWD athletes.

During the 2012 season Daniel broke Oceania and Australian open records over 400m and 800m. He was selected in the shadow squad for the London Paralympics, but just missed selection when final team numbers were tight.

Daniel continued to combine his training with study for a sports coaching and administration degree at ACPE.

In late 2012 Daniel’s health started to deteriorate and in December his tumour was diagnosed, at first, as inoperable. His family persevered in finding a surgeon who would operate and on Christmas Eve 2012, Daniel underwent a very dangerous operation to remove the tumour. Over the next six months as he battled the cancer he endured more operations and including periods in an induced coma. While in hospital he received a special gift from his friends, family and the Cherrybrook Athletics Club – a Paralympic Torch, a gift he greatly treasured. In May a major fund raising event was held to assist Daniel’s family with the very high medical bills. On June 21, after seven months in hospital, Daniel was able to go home.

“Despite suffering more than most do in a lifetime, he never once complained. He was a fighter, and a true champion. He was an inspiration to whoever he came into contact with and will be forever remembered for his very determined nature. We were always very proud of him and what he was able to achieve in his short life. He was a friend to many and will be sadly missed.”

Information provided by NSW Athletics Website

VIEW DANIEL’S STORY WRITTEN BY HEATHER BERRY HERE