Grief at player’s death crosses codes
MURWILLUMBAH is a sporting town united in grief following the death of Mustangs rugby league player Grant Cook.
Officials, coaches, fans and players are knocking down the walls of sporting rivalry in honour of the father of two who collapsed and later died in hospital after playing for the Mustangs in a Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League match last weekend.
The tragedy has sparked some unlikely alliances, helping to raise more than $35,000 for Cook’s family.
Support has been found from soccer club Murwillumbah Warning, Cook’s former cricket club Mullumbimby Brunswick and his junior league club the Mullumbimby Giants.
“It has really brought everyone together,” said Mustangs halfback Wayde Kelly, a mate of Cook’s for more than 20 years.
The Warning will today play Surfers Paradise in the Gold Coast Premier League final on the Isle of Capri. Tomorrow they will head to Ned Byrne Field at Kingscliff to cheer on the Mustangs against Cudgen in the NRRRL title clash.
“It’s a bit of a sad time for the town,” Warning coach Dean Milosevic said.
Kelly is determined to support Cook’s wife Colleen and family after they were there for him when his fiancee, Kymberlie Shepherd, passed away giving birth to son Kyden two years ago.
“My way of dealing with this has been helping Colleen and Grant’s family.”