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Castle Hill boy meets his favourite Swan

Friday September 1, 2006

Karl Anchique with his hero Barry Hall and the Sydney Swans 2005 premiership cup.

TEN-year-old Karl Anchique from Castle Hill now owns a Sydney Swans guernsey signed by club co-captain and full forward Barry Hall.

The pair met during training at the SCG in the lead up to the Swans game against Carlton.

The arranged meeting was a high point for Karl in an otherwise tough 2006.

The fifth grader is suspected of having Neurofibromatosis Type One – otherwise known as NF1 – where the tibia and fibia bones in his right leg are weak.

Karl broke his right leg early last December in a game of soccer at St Michaels Primary School at Baulkham Hills.

The leg failed to mend properly and doctors required him to undergo painful operation in May.

While in hospital in May, Karl’s auntie Ann thought a meeting with Barry Hall would do just the trick to lift his sagging spirits.

Ann Castillo works for research-based medicines company Pfizer Australia – a Sydney Swans sponsor.

Barry Hall agreed to the meeting and took time out before training to meet and talk to Karl.

“Karl is tougher than me,” Barry Hall said at the meeting.

“I haven’t had any major injuries – touch wood.

“Meeting people like Karl who have had such setbacks makes you feel the niggling injuries we get are nothing to worry about.

“I’m in awe of Karl.”

Karl was clearly excited with the visit and meeting his idol as well as the opportunity to hold the 2005 AFL premiership cup, visit the gym and the team meeting room before taking in the training session on the hallowed turf of the SCG.

“Barry Hall is a good player, I like him a lot and he’s a good role model,” Karl said.

Karl, who now will wear a metal frame for another three months or so and occasionally must also use crutches, is now focusing only on playing non-contact sports.

Pfizer Australia is the nation’s leading research-based health care company. It discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical treatments for both humans and animals. Pfizer Australia is investing more than $45 million in local research and development. For more information the links on this website.

Contacts:

Pfizer Australia Media Affairs - see details above, on the left-hand side
Harvey Anchique, Karl’s father on (0409) 911 152 or (02) 9203 1214.