Bears kick home for ill Kaiya in schools title
NO matter how tough the going gets during their NRL Schoolboys Cup campaign, the Kirwan State High School Bears know one of their own is doing it tougher.
The Bears have dedicated their state final victory to teammate Kaiya-gene Kerekere, 16, who had his latest round of chemotherapy treatment in hospital on Wednesday while Kirwan thumped Marsden 38-22 at Brisbane’s Langlands Park.
Kaiya made a surprise appearance at the team’s final training run in Brisbane on Tuesday, with coaching staff and players rallying round their teammate during an emotional catch-up. Kaiya was diagnosed in July last year with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects the soft tissue surrounding bones and organs.
The Western Lions club player is fighting a hard battle and is based in Brisbane full time as he receives treatment in an attempt to stop the aggressive cancer
Despite being stable for nearly a year, tests in June showed the cancer had returned and within weeks progressed to Stage 4.
“For him to get out of the hospital and come down was a huge moment for us,” said Bears fullback Steven Numambo, who is close mates with Kaiya. “After the game we heard he had a big smile on his face when he found out the news we had won.
“That brought a lot of joy for us, we were so happy we were able to do that for him.
“I’m just so happy he was able to come down and see us.
“He’s always with us; even when go to Sydney for the national final he’ll be with us.
“All our games are dedicated to him because he’s fighting for his life, and we’re just playing a game.”
Kaiya’s mother Terri Kerekere said her son’s joy when hearing about Kirwan’s win knew no bounds.
“There was a short window when he could open his eyes and that’s when we told him the result of the game, and he had a smile from ear to ear,” she said. “It’s absolutely beautiful that these boys are thinking of him.
“I tell you what, it definitely gives Kaiya strength.”
Kirwan will next play Westfields Sports High School from Sydney in Wednesday's national final at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney.
“As strong as we are out there on the field, Kaiya’s strength surpasses anything we’ve shown,” Kirwan head of sport Dave Ackers said.
“We know he’s in a much bigger battle and we want to do anything we can to lift his spirits. We kept it a secret from the boys that Kaiya was coming down for our captain’s run on Tuesday and it was very moving when he was there chatting to the boys. A couple of the boys became very emotional.”
Kaiya would almost certainly have played for the Bears, having been one of the school’s most talented up and comers.
He won the Under-15 Cowboys Challenge with Kirwan, playing alongside many of the players who lined up in Wednesday’s state final.
He is very close with most of the Bears, including the side’s six Year 12 students.
“We can’t thank the players enough for the support they’re showing him, and also the staff,” Ms Kerekere said.
A Gofundme page has been setup for Kaiya which people can donate to.