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Playing on with an artificial leg
By Jon Geddes
September 04, 2008 12:00am
WHEN Ed Howarth lost his leg just below the knee in a motorcycle accident at 15, people assumed his promising rugby career was over.
But they underestimated the determination of the courageous young forward who defied the odds by returning to the field 12 months later wearing an artificial leg.
On Saturday, the inspirational No.8 will continue his amazing sporting comeback as a key member of the Gunnedah Red Devils under-19s in their preliminary final against Barrabra in Narrabri.
"I just wanted to prove a point that no matter what you have wrong with you, just keep on trying, you can do it,'' Howarth said.
"I got into the Junior Paralymics for swimming for three months, but I didn't want to do swimming, I wanted to pursue my dream and come back to play rugby.''
While he could well have been diving into the pool with the Australian Palalympic squad in China this weekend, Howarth will instead be playing rugby in central north NSW.
Before the accident, which occurred in 2004 on the family property when Howarth was taking his brother to catch the school bus, Howarth had been selected in the NSW Country representative side.
"I love rugby to death, it's a great sport,'' Howarth said. But becoming a rugby forward with an artificial leg provided some special challenges for the 18-year-old greenkeeeper at the Gunnedah Golf Course.
"You can't use your toes, you can't use..Read More
ED Howarth - who lost his leg just below the knee in a motorcycle accident - in action for the Gunnedah Red Devils under-19s.
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