Family will stay Farah's foundation

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Family will stay Farah's foundation
June 20, 2012

Sport is ever more adept at acknowledging loss, and honouring the departed. More weekends than not, one club or another will wear black armbands. Overt reminders of what a prominent figure has given the club and, in turn, of how the club, and the game, enriched a life.

Yet it is not disrespectful to suggest that, inside the sheds, some losses are felt more keenly than others. There is the official homage paid to a former legend who might have made the occasional appearance at the club, or the long-time committeeman from an earlier era. Then there is the heartfelt personal loss suffered by Wests Tigers, who will stand behind Robbie Farah at his mother's funeral today.

You only needed to contemplate the emotional reaction of the players before Sunday's game against Sydney Roosters to understand what Sonia Farah meant to the Tigers captain and, in turn, to the entire team. How Farah's teammates understood that when he left training for the family home, where he still lives, it would be to spend time helping to care for his mother who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last November. They were aware Sonia Farah had insisted her youngest child not be distracted from his football by her discomfort - the type of selfless attitude that, naturally, only increased Farah's devotion, and that of his close-knit family.
 
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/family-will-stay-farahs-foundation-20120619-20m4g.html

Rest of the article:

''No doubt it's tough,'' Farah told me in March. ''There are good days, there are bad days. She's like most mums, more worried that we look after ourselves. For me, I've got to try and leave that at home and concentrate on my footy when I'm here. And when I leave footy, I have to go home and be the best person I can for my mum. It's about finding that balance.''

That is the context within which Farah overcame a slow start to the season, disrupted by a groin injury, to earn his shot at Origin redemption. Within which he played a tireless game in Origin II, believing his mother was watching from a private box. Only to find she had been taken to hospital. ''Sixty-three years of age, 63 tackles, every one for her,'' as Farah texted former Tigers great Benny Elias on Monday.

After today? Farah is expected to play for NSW in the Origin decider. Although, as of yesterday, coach Ricky Stuart said he had maintained a respectful distance while a key member of his team grieved. Stuart said his only contact with Farah had been a message of condolences. Even to him, some things are far more important than Origin.

Likewise, it is too early to contemplate what words might be said about Farah's loss when the NSW team assembles next Monday. Yet, because of the public nature of his loss, Farah will no doubt be the centre of extra attention before game three. Some will wonder if he will be distracted; others whether he will dedicate the match to his mother's memory.

Such an emotional pledge can become a heavy burden. Yet Farah strikes me as one the strongest and most single-minded competitors in the game. It seems unlikely he would be either overwhelmed or unusually motivated by his terrible loss. This is a man who completed his university studies, while engaged in a professional football career, because that is what his cab-driving father expected. A man with a sense of family that makes loss particularly poignant, but which also means family responsibility is second nature.

''Every time I run onto the field I'm not just representing my club, I'm representing my family,'' he said in March. ''Off the field as well. The way I carry myself, you've always got your family in the back of your mind.''

Farah will not need to honour his mum with any new heroics in Brisbane. On field and off, he and his family did that every day.
 
terrific article in the herald today by richard hind. a powerful, simple piece with genuine sympathy. all tigers players and supporters thoughts and prayers are with robbie and his family, particularly today.
 
@Florrie said:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/family-will-stay-farahs-foundation-20120619-20m4g.html

Rest of the article:

''No doubt it's tough,'' Farah told me in March. ''There are good days, there are bad days. She's like most mums, more worried that we look after ourselves. For me, I've got to try and leave that at home and concentrate on my footy when I'm here. And when I leave footy, I have to go home and be the best person I can for my mum. It's about finding that balance.''

That is the context within which Farah overcame a slow start to the season, disrupted by a groin injury, to earn his shot at Origin redemption. Within which he played a tireless game in Origin II, believing his mother was watching from a private box. Only to find she had been taken to hospital. ''Sixty-three years of age, 63 tackles, every one for her,'' as Farah texted former Tigers great Benny Elias on Monday.

After today? Farah is expected to play for NSW in the Origin decider. Although, as of yesterday, coach Ricky Stuart said he had maintained a respectful distance while a key member of his team grieved. Stuart said his only contact with Farah had been a message of condolences. Even to him, some things are far more important than Origin.

Likewise, it is too early to contemplate what words might be said about Farah's loss when the NSW team assembles next Monday. Yet, because of the public nature of his loss, Farah will no doubt be the centre of extra attention before game three. Some will wonder if he will be distracted; others whether he will dedicate the match to his mother's memory.

Such an emotional pledge can become a heavy burden. Yet Farah strikes me as one the strongest and most single-minded competitors in the game. It seems unlikely he would be either overwhelmed or unusually motivated by his terrible loss. This is a man who completed his university studies, while engaged in a professional football career, because that is what his cab-driving father expected. A man with a sense of family that makes loss particularly poignant, but which also means family responsibility is second nature.

''Every time I run onto the field I'm not just representing my club, I'm representing my family,'' he said in March. ''Off the field as well. The way I carry myself, you've always got your family in the back of your mind.''

Farah will not need to honour his mum with any new heroics in Brisbane. On field and off, he and his family did that every day.
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I know this issue (loss of family) doesn't occur everyday in Rugby League but it's amazing that the same journalists who can write such baseless and unfounded drivel at times can actually write such a touching story.
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I know this issue (loss of family) doesn't occur everyday in Rugby League but it's amazing that the same journalists who can write such baseless and unfounded drivel at times can actually write such a touching story.

I completely agree with the general point that you make, but to my knowledge Richard Hinds was never a part of that. He's a quality writer who forms opinions based on his own observations. From what I remember, it was overwhelmingly journos from the Telegraph who promoted that garbage.
 
That is a lovely story and it is an absolute tribute to the women that Sonia Farar would of been to have that much respect shown to her and she accomplished the greatest thing that of being a mother of the highest grade and that is apparent from the children she raised and the way she loved her family… I never knew or met her but i feel the families pain in their terrible loss.

God Bless xx
 
@Leich-a-tiger said:
I know this issue (loss of family) doesn't occur everyday in Rugby League but it's amazing that the same journalists who can write such baseless and unfounded drivel at times can actually write such a touching story.

I completely agree with the general point that you make, but to my knowledge Richard Hinds was never a part of that. He's a quality writer who forms opinions based on his own observations. From what I remember, it was overwhelmingly journos from the Telegraph who promoted that garbage.
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I probably didn't word it correctly but that was the point I was trying to convey, that they all report on the same Sport yet some stoop to headline grabbing garbage . You're right SMH is a more balanced read.
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I love you all - Sonia Farah's deathbed gesture to the family she adored
Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
June 21, 2012 12:00AM
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KNOWING time was short, Robbie Farah had just one last question. "Mum … do you love me?" he asked.

Silence extended for several minutes before the reply came. "I love you all," she said.

Those were Sonia Farah's last words. Whispered to Farah and his four siblings at Concord Hospital last Sunday, they were also her final stand of an eight-month battle against pancreatic cancer.

Over the next two nights, the family was overwhelmed with grief as they accepted tributes from well-wishers at St Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church in Croydon.

But yesterday was something else. Almost 1000 mourners - including all of Farah's teammates from Wests Tigers - flocked to the parish to pay their respects.

In a demonstration of how deeply Sonia's story had resonated, they came from all quarters.

Exactly a week after they marvelled at Farah's record-breaking 63 Origin tackles, Blues coach Ricky Stuart and skipper Paul Gallen drove from Cronulla.

South Sydney sent a busload of players from Redfern to support Farah's older brother Eddie, their club physiotherapist. And Premier Barry O'Farrell joined fellow Tigers diehard Dawn Fraser within a sombre throng that simply couldn't be contained by the church.

But even from outside the sentiment wasn't lost as the eulogy - split evenly between the Farah children - was broadcast over loudspeakers.

A restaurateur outside of football, Farah described his mother's homemade delicacies as "food for our souls"."She was the epitome of selflessness," he added.

"Before a game she wouldn't divulge the extent of her suffering, because she didn't want us to suffer."

Since the diagnosis brought him home from Kangaroos duty in England last November, Farah has done everything to ease that suffering.

He researched diets and exercise regimens to compliment the chemotherapy. He nursed her on the lounge and sacrificed holidays to stay at the family's Campsie home.

Such devotion - and Sonia's courage - gave the family more time than others who've been confronted with the uncompromising illness.

They were blessed with last Christmas and then Sonia's 63rd birthday in April.

And then came Farah's incredible Origin feat that also doubled as the last match she ever saw him play.

It was his finest personal hour and she watched it from the same hospital bed where she said goodbye.

"Mum has, and always will be, an inspiration to us," Farah said.
 
@willow said:
I love you all - Sonia Farah's deathbed gesture to the family she adored
Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
June 21, 2012 12:00AM
\
\
KNOWING time was short, Robbie Farah had just one last question. "Mum … do you love me?" he asked.

Silence extended for several minutes before the reply came. "I love you all," she said.

Those were Sonia Farah's last words. Whispered to Farah and his four siblings at Concord Hospital last Sunday, they were also her final stand of an eight-month battle against pancreatic cancer.

Over the next two nights, the family was overwhelmed with grief as they accepted tributes from well-wishers at St Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church in Croydon.

But yesterday was something else. Almost 1000 mourners - including all of Farah's teammates from Wests Tigers - flocked to the parish to pay their respects.

In a demonstration of how deeply Sonia's story had resonated, they came from all quarters.

Exactly a week after they marvelled at Farah's record-breaking 63 Origin tackles, Blues coach Ricky Stuart and skipper Paul Gallen drove from Cronulla.

South Sydney sent a busload of players from Redfern to support Farah's older brother Eddie, their club physiotherapist. And Premier Barry O'Farrell joined fellow Tigers diehard Dawn Fraser within a sombre throng that simply couldn't be contained by the church.

But even from outside the sentiment wasn't lost as the eulogy - split evenly between the Farah children - was broadcast over loudspeakers.

A restaurateur outside of football, Farah described his mother's homemade delicacies as "food for our souls"."She was the epitome of selflessness," he added.

"Before a game she wouldn't divulge the extent of her suffering, because she didn't want us to suffer."

Since the diagnosis brought him home from Kangaroos duty in England last November, Farah has done everything to ease that suffering.

He researched diets and exercise regimens to compliment the chemotherapy. He nursed her on the lounge and sacrificed holidays to stay at the family's Campsie home.

Such devotion - and Sonia's courage - gave the family more time than others who've been confronted with the uncompromising illness.

They were blessed with last Christmas and then Sonia's 63rd birthday in April.

And then came Farah's incredible Origin feat that also doubled as the last match she ever saw him play.

It was his finest personal hour and she watched it from the same hospital bed where she said goodbye.

"Mum has, and always will be, an inspiration to us," Farah said.
Click to expand...

thanks for posting that Willow.
it is a very nice article.
 
Farah's family put out a statement on Monday thanking everyone for their responses and asking for their privacy to be respected at the funeral.

Today, the Telegraph has photo's of the funeral all over the front page.

Classy
 
@FootyJimmy said:
Farah's family put out a statement on Monday thanking everyone for their responses and asking for their privacy to be respected at the funeral.

Today, the Telegraph has photo's of the funeral all over the front page.

Classy
Click to expand...

Pretty poor form. Let the man grieve in peace.
 
Wests Tigers players not concerned when Robbie Farah chooses to return

Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
June 22, 2012 12:00AM
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ROBBIE Farah could miss Monday night's clash against Newcastle Knights.

He could miss Origin III.

Or he could miss the rest of the 2012 season.

Whenever the Wests Tigers skipper choses to return to football after the passing of his mother Sonia last weekend is inconsequential to his teammates.

Beau Ryan last night became the first player to speak about Sunday's trauma, which triggered an unforgettable out-pouring of grief at Leichhardt Oval.

"We could've won by 100 points or lost by 100 points - it just didn't matter," Ryan told The Daily Telegraph.

"Robbie is not just our captain. He's a massive part of our lives.

"He asked to be named to play this week, but I don't care if he doesn't make it.

"I don't care if he misses Origin or doesn't play again this year.

"All I care about is that he's happy and that he looks after his dad (Peter).

"Family is the most important thing."

After being given the week off to grieve and attend Wednesday's funeral, the Tigers return to Concord for their first team run this afternoon.

Ryan has spoken with Farah about the timing of this weekend's Women in League Round and how several players intend to auction-off their pink strip to raise money for Concord Cancer Centre, where Sonia was treated.

"Robbie will be all right because he's got such a great family," Ryan said.

"But it's going to take a little while.

"To see him the other day, without (Sonia) there, really made things hit home. She was everything to that family." More than any Tigers player, Ryan understands how influential Sonia was.

The Wollongong junior lived under her Campsie roof for several months when he first joined the Tigers in 2008.

"She was just so giving," he said.

"You'd get home from training and she'd want to take your bags, she'd want to make you something to eat.

"She'd want to do everything for everyone else but herself. No single moment stands out because she was like that the whole time."

Coach Tim Sheens nominated Ryan for special mention after he addressed the team in the sheds on Sunday afternoon.

Ryan and stand-in captain Benji Marshall - who was the first Tiger that Farah told - were the two most visibly affected players during the minute of silence that preceded kick-off.

"It was really overwhelming and we just couldn't think about the game," he said.

"You start thinking about your own mum and how it would feel to lose her.

"That's when I started to understand how hard it was for Robbie.

"I was standing next to Benji on the field and it was extremely emotional.

"He's suffered similar adversity … but the fact Robbie told Benji first shows how close they are.

"It proves there's no feud whatsoever," Ryan said.
 
Beau did a great job in that article as well as on The Footy Show last night? Anyone else see his emotional speech?
Gotta love Beau, he is Tiger through & through.
 
@WelcometotheJungle said:
Beau did a great job in that article as well as on The Footy Show last night? Anyone else see his emotional speech?
Gotta love Beau, he is Tiger through & through.
Click to expand...

I was in tears by the time he finished on the Footy Show last night.
 
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