Our very own Damien Cook is among 10 elite Australian athletes vying for the Philips Sports Dad of the Year award to be announced on Father's Day on Sunday, September 4.
Now in its 14th year, the award showcases the contribution Australia's sporting elite make to their families both on and off the field. Last years winner was BMX gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympics Games Logan Martin who donated his winnings to Lung Foundation Australia - a charity that offers life-changing support and guidance for people living with lung conditions.
The Sports Dad of the Year will highlight 10 elite athletes across a range of sports, giving insights into how they juggle fatherhood with their sporting commitments.
This year's nominated Sports Dads will be profiled on sportsdads.com.au which will include questions and answers from the players about their families.
All voters have the opportunity to win special prizes for their own father this Father's Day, with the winning Sports Dad of the Year receiving $5,000 to donate to their charity of choice.
And Damien has chosen Ronald McDonald House Charities.
With more than 150 games for the Rabbitohs, 15 Origins for NSW and 4 Tests for the Kangaroos and at age 31, he still has plenty of years left at the elite level on the field.
Off the field, Damien cherishes his young daughter Willow (2) and very soon another on the way!
“The best thing about being a dad is watching my little princess grow up and teaching her new things and as long as she has a smile on her face I’m happy,” Damien said with a proud smile. “Sometimes I could be having a really bad day or a bad loss and I just want to see her and give her a cuddle as it put everything in perspective … it makes everything ok because to her I’m just daddy, her best friend who plays with her and her protector.”
This years other finalists are NRL stars Daley Cherry-Evans and James Tamou, AFL champion Scott Pendlebury, Socceroo goalkeeping hero Andrew Redmayne, Test cricket superstar Usman Khawaja, Wimbledon doubles champion and Davis Cup star Matt Ebden, Wallaby scrum half Nic White, Australian Boomers skipper Mitch McCarron and three-time Golden Slipper winning jockey Tommy Berry.
Vote now for Cookie at sportsdads.com.au
Voting closes on Tuesday, August 30, and the Sports Dad of the Year winner will be announced on Father's Day.
Do you find it hard spending time away from the family due to your football commitments?
I find it very hard. Especially now Willow is more aware of what’s going on and asking me to come home when I can’t makes it really hard.
How big an inspiration is Willow to your career, have you changed the way you go about your work since she was born?
Since Willow has been born I’ve definitely noticed a change in how I go about things in life as now she is my reason why I do what I do . Where before it was about my family and myself , now my main reason why is to lead by example for Willow.
There have been lots of challenges in the last few years with Covid and I’m sure your family like many have had to deal with it and maybe missed the chance to see family on special occasions, share your life with loved ones etc……tell us about some of your personal experiences?
Covid in 2020 brought many challenges to our family just like others . When Willow was only a couple months old the country went into lockdown and this meant family weren’t able to get to spend time with Willow. When the lockdown restrictions were slightly lifted, the NRL maintained its strong restrictions which meant no one was allowed at the house and family such as grandparents had to get to know Willow from over the fence. With the NRL bubble still in place for the whole year and Origin at the end of the year I had to stay in a bubble post season before moving into a five week camp with the Blues which meant missing my daughter’s first birthday. Covid in 2021 brought a whole new challenge, while in Origin camp for the last game we got the news the comp would be moved to Queensland’s and all teams relocated to Queensland and it was unknown whether family would be able to come up too. This possibly meant not seeing the family till the end of the year. Luckily enough, families where relocated and after a tough 5 1/2 weeks and seeing my wife and daughter go through a hotel quarantine just so we could all be back together. When we reunited in Queensland, it was one of the most special moments I’ll remember forever.
On game day, do you usually relax with the family, do you have a set routine?
I do have a set routine but game day routine all depends on what day we play. For Thursday and Friday games this this involves Willow’s activities. After breakfast we will go and watch Willow’s dancing or swimming or gymnastics before I come back and jump in the pool to do exercises. After that I will jump on the roller where Willow will climb up an enjoy the ride but also have a stretch which lately she is starting to sit next to me and copy what I’m doing!
Has Willow taken a liking to any sports?
Willow at the moment has a busy schedule for a two-year-old! She loves her swimming, gymnastics and dancing and most ball games in the back yard such as kicking the footy off the tee or kicking the soccer ball around. I’m pretty keen to get a tennis racquet in her hand soon though … haha!
Does she enjoy watching you play footy and does she ever go to your training?
She loves coming to my games and training and cheering me and the team on and I love having her there! I used to watch the other guys in my team with their kids at training before I had Willow and couldn’t wait until I was able to do that. Willow loves wearing her jerseys but with a tutu under it. Perfect combination!
Does she know many of your teammates?
One thing about Willow which surprises everyone - especially in lockdown together last year - is how well she remembers everyone’s names! Not just naming the team but also the numbers they wear, like Daddy number 9 , Trell number 1! She also knows some of the staff at the club as well. Wayne Bennett and Willow had a special bond up there in Queensland last year and Willow even called him Pa which he loved! Her favourites at the moment are Campbell, Keaon, Lachy and Cam … who also has a barbie doll named after him!
When she starts playing Community Sport are you keen to get involved?
I’m sure Willow will try a few community sports to see which ones she likes best but I can definitely see myself getting involved! I won’t be able to keep myself out of it as much as I would want to and yes most likely as one of the coaches. Maybe not dancing though … I will leave that to the professionals.
Tell us about your daily family duties?
I’m very lucky to have the best wife and mum to Willow but when I’m off we like to get out and about in the morning so showering and getting Willow ready for the day and breakfast is always a battle . Throughout the day whoever gets caught with the dirty nappy has to change it haha! At night time it’s bath time followed by dinner where we alternate who does one and who does the other. When it’s bed time I always read a text book or two to Willow before she goes to sleep. Her favourites are Noisy Farm, Dear Little Princess or Going on a Bear Hunt.
Tell us about your wife Courtney?
I’m very lucky to have the best wife who so understanding when it comes to my busy schedule and being away a lot. She is pregnant with our second child due in a couple of weeks.
What is your favourite activity with Willow?
Ice-cream dates after day care and the park whenever the weather lets us but we have the most fun at Flip Out.
Do you have any memorable moments with her?
After five weeks away in the State of Origin bubble of 2020 when we reunited she walked to me for the first time. Cuddling her on the field after my grand final loss last year, as soon as I could I wanted to get to her. The first time I got to take her on the field after a game after not being allowed to after two years of Covid restrictions. The first time she called me dad and said I love you was also very special.
Have you been able to take the family on any recent holidays? Is there a place you’d like to go in the future?
We were lucky enough to go to Hamilton Island after the season finished last year and by the looks of all the Disney princesses she dresses up as I can’t wait to one day take the family to Disneyland.
