NRL stars supporting Men Of League clash
NRL star Josh Morris's decision to interrupt his pre-season to visit the Coast next weekend was an easy one when it came to supporting the memory of good mate and "ball of energy" Nicole Fitzsimons.
The Canterbury flier will be a guest at next Saturday's All Stars Men of League charity match at Stockland Sunshine Coast Stadium in support of the Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation.
And he is bringing some of rugby league's biggest names with him, including 2012 Dally M medal winner Ben Barba, Dragons winger Brett Morris - his brother - and Newcastle forward Chris Houston.
The Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation is one of the beneficiaries of the annual clash and Morris says he is happy to make the trip for the event, although it is just seven days before the Bulldogs kick off their 2013 NRL campaign.
The charity was established in memory of budding entertainer and journalist Nicole Fitzsimons, who was killed in a motorbike accident while holidaying with her boyfriend Jamie Keith in Thailand last year.
Keith and the Morris twins formed a mateship after playing together in the 2005 Dragons under-20s side. The twins in turn became friends with Ms Fitzsimons, a Dragons tragic.
"Nicole was a ball of energy," Morris told the Daily from Sydney. "No matter how you were feeling, she'd always pick you up. She just had that ability to light up a room.
"She was a very beautiful person and a great friend. And when we found out (about her death) it was certainly a big shock and pretty devastating."
The Morris brothers, Barba and Houston will sign autographs at the match, which pits the All Stars Men of League against the Caloundra Sharks.
They will also appear at the All Stars Men of League Gala Evening at Novotel Twin Waters Resort of Saturday night.
- STEVE ZEMEK
ALL STARS
What: All Stars Men of League v Caloundra Sharks
When: Saturday, March 2. Gates open at noon, main game 3pm
Where: Stockland Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana
Guest Appearances: Ben Barba, Josh Morris, Brett Morris, Chris Houston
Price: from $10 adult, $5 children, $20 family of four
Gala Evening: Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Saturday, 7pm
Gala tickets: $1300 table of 10, $650 table of five. Phone Nick Paterson 0408 452 152
More information: allstarevents.com.au
