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.
- Hear from Henny Gower - Mother of David Gower
Abi was full of praise when talking to us about her beloved son Tim Mannah.
Abi giggled and laughed as she opened about Tim’s size when he was growing up and assured us that he put this sheer size and power to good use on the footy field.
“He was 13 and he was a very big boy and all the kids came up to his waist, so when he ran all the mothers would hold their breath and I would pretend like ‘this is not my son!” Abi said.
“But he would carry a few kids with him with the ball and go score a try.”
Abi described young Tim as fun, full of life as well as considerate and gentle and the Eels captain continues buy Abi surprise gifts on Mother’s Day, and this year, is taking her out for a pre-game lunch with his brothers on Sunday.
“He was a big boy but he was a lot of fun he was full of life, he just initiated things around the house but at the same time he was very considerate and gentle.”
Despite the times when she would pretend Tim wasn’t her son she is a very nervous mum on the sideline and always supported Tim as a kid throughout his Rugby League and Soccer adventures.
“I’m very nervous, sometimes sick. I put my hands together and I push my husband in the direction that they are going.”
“I’m very proud of him, I really am and I just get excited when they get the win and I feel really relieved when they do and I feel his sadness when they don’t.”
Looking back at Tim’s career, Abi recalled a hilarious moment from his childhood.
“One day when he was still younger and playing soccer, they were playing on a field and it was very, very rainy and muddy and it looked like he obviously didn’t want to be there and they were loosing at halftime. Then he came to the sideline and the coach was trying to give them some advice so I came to him and I said, he used to love his cup of tea with biscuits, so I said ‘Timmy I promise you, if you score this half I’m going to give you tea’ and he said ‘With biscuits?’ and I said ‘With biscuits’ So he goes out there and he scores 5 goals. Then he looked at me and went ‘5 cups of tea with biscuits’ and I said ‘Yes of course’.”
Get tickets to the game! 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
