A TOP HONOUR FOR JOHN MORRIS
By Wayne Cousins
Respected half-back John Morris continues to make a positive difference for Wests Tigers on and off the field.
Morris is just one of a few players to have played every game this season under Coach Tim Sheens, making him a very valuable player to the team.
Off the field, he has been nominated by Wests Tigers as its finalist in The Ken Stephen Medal proudly sponsored by Telstra.
Morris was nominated for his outstanding community work for Wests Tigers and his commitment and passion to the Motor Neurone Disease Association of NSW.
Last week, Morris presented a cheque for $10,000 to the association as part of the proceeds raised at the Wests Tigers Players Dinner night at Balmain Leagues Club in May.
Morris has been a great supporter of MND after losing his father to the disease in 2002. Team-mate Bryce Gibbs also lost an uncle to MND, so it is an organisation very close to the hearts of the Wests Tigers players.
Morris attended the launch of MND Week to learn first hand the research going into finding a cure for the terrible disease. He also was a guest speaker at the MND Monstar Golf Day.
Motor Neurone Disease is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable people to move around, speak, breathe and swallow fail to work normally.
With no nerves to activate them, muscles gradually weaken and waste. The patterns of weakness vary from person to person.
“Wests Tigers are making a great effort for Motor Neurone Disease,’’ said MND Fundraising Manager Kym Nielsen.
“We are very pleased to have this association with John and the Wests Tigers. I know it is appreciated by all at MND.’’
In being nominated as a finalist, Morris receives a Telstra Nokia 6120 mobile phone valued at $499.
Should Morris win the Ken Stephen Medal, he will receive $5000 with a further $5000 going to his charity of choice.
“I am very proud to be nominated as the Wests Tigers’ representative in such a prestigious award,’’ Morris said.
“Wests Tigers have built up a strong reputation in rugby league for their community work and I am more than happy to be a part of it.’’
Full-back and captain Brett Hodgson was the club’s nominee last year for The Ken Stephen Award.
Outside of his work for the Motor Neurone Association, Morris regularly assists the club with its community work including spending time with sick supporters, visiting schools to assisting at rugby league clinics.
