As a part of the Mother’s Day celebrations at the Dyldam Parramatta Eels, several players welcomed their mums to watch a training session this week and surprised them with lunch, flowers and presents. See photos from the visit.
We caught up with the Blue and Gold mothers to chat about what their sons were like growing up, on and off the field, and how they celebrate Mothers day.
- Read our interview with David Gower’s mum, Henny Gower
- Read our interview with Tim Mannah’s mum, Abi Mannah
Brenda Hopoate revealed many interesting things about her son Will Hopoate in her interview, including his journey to playing first grade NRL and about the differences they share as mother and son.
She strongly believes that Will’s talent as a rugby league player was very different of that to her husband John, and wasn’t visible until Will reached the age of 13.
“Where he is at now, it’s like how did that happen?” Brenda quizzed.
“He just loved the sport and got better at it around the under 13s. He just switched into this boy that I have never seen but before that, he just was not a good player” she joked.
As a young boy, Will was always obedient and Brenda said there was not much to know about her son.
“He was never funny, he was just a boring kid,” Brenda said of her son.
“A very good boy. He would just sit. If I sat him in one spot he would sit there until I come back and say you can move now,”
“Nothing to tell about William, he was never naughty.”
“A good boy, like I said, always obedient. Never lies you know how kids lie, who ate the cookies in the jar! Who broke this! , he would always go ‘Oh me mum!’” Brenda added.
Brenda spoke about her strong, close relationship she has with William and how she believes that their relationship is the way it is due to the differences that exist between the two.
“What would he get from me? Wow! Probably nothing because I used to lie when I was young," Brenda said.
"I’m loud, I’m never calm, I always thought I had ADD, and Will is just the opposite from me. He is always honest, very calm.. maybe looks people tell me he looks like me, so maybe mum’s looks.”
Brenda admires Will’s love for football and couldn’t be happier about the success and happiness he has found playing rugby league at the Eels.
“I feel happy for him because I know he loves the sport and that’s what his good at and that’s what he loves to do,” Brenda said.
“He doesn’t want to work he just wants to play footy, so I’m happy for him”
“To me, he is better then John with his hands and his feet. John was just strong and fast he wasn’t smart with his hands and feet” Brenda added.
And what is Brenda like when supporting Will?
“I love it, I’m loud, I’m psycho, I’m crazy, love it. Yeah I scream, I am very loud, very loud.” She said.
Get tickets to see the Eels v Storm with GA Family Tickets just $20
Thanks to our game day partners, Dyldam, we will be celebrating at our game on Mother's Day with a yellow rose giveaway for the first 400 mums in the Parramatta Motor Group TryLine City precinct. Head to our community tent to collect a rose for your mum on the day!
Parramatta Motor Group TryLine City will also host a pamper tent on Sunday, offering a choice of:
· 10 minute express manicures
· 10 minute hand massages
· 6-10 minute mini shoulder and back massages
