Tiger has a tale of dogged tenacity
IF YOU want to be motivated by a dogged refusal to never give up on your dreams, Wests Tigers winger Corey Thompson is your man.
At the start of the season, fresh off a two-year stint with Widnes in England, Thompson took a chance to sign with the Tigers on a minimum wage.
The $80,000 deal was a pay cut, but it gave him the chance to return to the NRL.
Thompson had previously played 35 games for Canterbury, scoring 15 tries, and was desperate to revive his firstgrade career.
Flash forward nine months and the diminutive back has been rewarded for his persistence. On top of locking down a starting wing spot, he has been offered a lucrative contract extension until the end of 2019.
Now Thompson is planning to use his admirable tale of determination to inspire indigenous youth. As a proud Aboriginal man through his father Walter, the Tigers flyer wants to help his people rise above the stereotypes and setbacks to succeed. “It is all about having a positive mindset,” he said.
“It hasn’t been the easiest journey for me but I’d tell the kids that even if things don’t go the way you plan, you’ll get to where you want to go if you keep working hard.
“You might have to go somewhere you don’t want to for a year, but if you work hard you’ll be back on track. I think I can really make a difference.”
Thompson may never earn the really big bucks, but the winger isn’t worried. He is just grateful to be in the world’s best rugby league competition.
“I don’t care that some boys are on a million dollars,” he said. “Obviously that would be good, but I just enjoy playing footy.”