Masterson’s thanksgiving prayer
THANKSGIVING, which has been largely popularised in America, is considered a day of giving thanks for harvests and life.
Whatever its origins and meaning, giving thanks is at the heart of the celebration.
While Zimbabwe’s Young Sables forward Huntley Masterson is likely to approach the holiday, slated for November 24, with both bewilderment and wonder, the 19-year-old will not be short of things to be thankful for.
He was a central figure in the Young Sables side in both their Barthes Trophy and Junior World Trophy assignments in Kenya.
But that was before he fractured his right hand and had to cut short his Junior World Trophy campaign.
Masterson is now a freshman at Harvard University, having started two months ago.
“I have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at Harvard University and that is something I plan to take full advantage of, as I plan to finish my studies here,” he said.
“Harvard is not only a great educational institution, the brand name itself is also something that can take me a long way in life and open certain doors for me.”
Masterson did not get the best start to life at the Ivy League institution, as he travelled to the United States nursing an injury he picked up during Zimbabwe’s first match against Scotland at the Junior World Trophy.
“I just got unlucky, and there was nothing that could have been done to prevent it.
“Our scrum lost shape and we got pushed over, after which I fell at a funny angle and one of our props ended up landing on top of me.
“I remember hearing the snap and instantly knowing that my time was done in Kenya.”
The former St John’s Preparatory learner felt a little numbness when he got up.
He even tried to continue playing, but soon, the pain kicked in and that was the end of the tournament for him.
The initial diagnosis was not good, with Kenyan doctors advising that Masterson needed surgery as soon as possible.
However, his family sought a second opinion and ordered the Young Sables star back home. That was, however, not before he received a hero’s send-off from his teammates.
“Leaving the team was extremely tough as we had been together for almost a year, working hard so as to bring the trophy home.
“It was also the moment that I realised that my Junior World Trophy dream was not going to come true, at least for the time being.
ON . . . Zimbabwe forward Huntley Masterson poses for a selfie with teammate Simbarashe Kanyangarara during the Junior Sables trip to Kenya for the World Junior Trophy earlier this year
“This was not the first bone I have broken, as I spent a lot of my time in casts and boots during high school,” he said. “I think, over the years, I have broken seven or eight bones across my ankles, feet and arms. This was actually fun — for lack of a better word — experience.”
“The send-off, however, was extremely touching and it just proved to me how united we were as a unit and as a team,” he said.
“That was the moment that proved to me that we were more than just a bunch of talented players grouped together, but a team of brothers who shared each other’s pain.
“What many don’t actually realise is that the welcome-back was even more heartwarming, as I got here around 2am and saw the parents
of the other players waiting for me.
“I cried when I saw them there and I remember my father’s eyes even welled up a bit.”
Masterson’s hand was put in a cast for six weeks, after which he had to endure another three weeks with his hand in a brace.
All this was also followed by endless weeks of intense rehab.
He has since been cleared and is looking forward to his debut for Harvard’s rugby team.
He even vowed to return again to the Junior Sables next year.
For all his blessings this year, Masterson considers himself lucky as his injury could have been more severe and ruined his blossoming career.
“This was not the first bone I have broken, as I spent a lot of my time in casts and boots during high school,” he said.
“I think, over the years, I have broken seven or eight bones across my ankles, feet and arms.
“This was actually fun — for lack of a better word — experience.”