Ailing son sadly leads to Brooke’s departure

OLYMPIAN Brooke Hanson has stepped down from the Gold Coast Suns board in order to focus on her family and chronically ill son Billy.

Hanson, who lost secondborn Jack in 2012 after a ninthmonth battle with lung disease, said she could no longer dedicate the time needed to the board while supporting her family, including husband Jared and children Cooper, 8, Billy, 4, and Matilda, 2.

“The main reason was my son Billy’s ongoing chronic health problems,” Hanson (pictured) said.

“I felt like

I couldn’t do my role as a director justice. I wanted to be true to myself, true to my family and true to the Suns.

“After two years on the board it was difficult to walk away, particularly for me personally being a former athlete and high achiever.

“But after losing my son Jack I realised life is too short and that you need to be 100 per cent committed to what you do.

“I believe by stepping down from the board this will give (chairman) Tony (Cochrane) an opportunity to find a person who has more time to dedicate to helping the club reach the goal of finals footy.”

Hanson, who remains a Suns member, said she would remain connected to the club with the former swimmer hopeful of being involved in hosting club events, match day activities and a subcommittee focused on the AFLW, memberships and fundraising.

“I’ve spoken to (CEO) Mark (Evans) and Tony about my passion for AFL, AFLW and most importantly the success of the Suns on the Gold Coast and I look forward to remaining connected to the club and supporting the Suns in a position that allows me to get involved,” Hanson said.