A MEMORIAL team representing former Taree sportsman Anthony ‘Anno’ Avery Jnr stormed to victory at the Ella Sevens on the weekend, going through undefeated on their way to winning the grand final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was the first time the Anthony “Anno” Avery memorial team had won the annual Coffs Harbour rugby sevens competition, after first entering in 2012.
Anthony Anno Avery Jnr was a young indigenous athlete who represented Australia in touch football and played to a high level in rugby league and other sports.
“Anno,” as he was affectionately known, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 25.
Sadly, he lost his fight with cancer in 2008 at the age of 26.
Captain and coach Clint Walker, a first cousin of Avery Jnr, said he was overjoyed with the result.
“To put blood, sweat and tears into the team, and then to win it, I was so proud,” Clint said.
The team scorched through the pool stages of the competition, recording lopsided 63-0, 55-0 and 36-14 wins.
After allowing the opposition to score early in the grand final, the Anno memorial team ramped up the pressure, eventually winning 36-26 after being behind 21-18 at halftime.
The team contained four Taree locals, with the other players made up of family and friends of Avery Jnr from around NSW.
Due to this, the team remarkably had no training sessions together before the competition.
“It’s just talent that comes together and the bond is there,” said Clint.
Anthony’s mother, Mirinda Avery, said it was an “awesome” result.
“I’m over the moon,” she said.
Clint said that despite the many challenges the team faced, they bonded together in memory of their “brother and friend.”
“For how much we have put into this team with limited sponsorship, to go into our own pockets, it shows how much heart this team has,” said Clint.
