'They're a family out there': Atherton community remembers Andrew Beazley
- Author
- Timestamp
“One, two, three… Beazley!”
It was the chant that rang out multiple times across the Atherton Roosters grounds on Saturday, March 12.
For Andrew Beazley’s under 16s teammates, it was not just a way to break up their team huddle, but a way in which could honour their friend.
Fourteen-year-old Andrew tragically passed away in January following a motorbike crash, leaving behind his mother, father, three siblings and a whole community that loved him dearly – particularly those at his rugby league club in Atherton.
It’s been a tough couple of months since Andrew’s passing, with some Roosters players even doubting whether they wanted to return to the field.
But on March 12 they came together for the inaugural Andrew Beazley Memorial Shield and not only did they remember their teammate and friend, but they played their hearts out for him.
His mother, Linda Walker, sat on the sideline, sometimes overcome with emotion as she watched the Roosters play without her son for the first time.
But as she watched, she was not at all surprised by the effort they put in as they claimed a 28-8 victory over Cairns Brothers for Andrew.
“I’ve known a few of them since they were babies,” Walker said.
“They’re a family out there. They all support each other and each other’s families.
“It's family. We don’t have to be blood.
“Andrew’s thing was to play together, to go out and no matter win or lose, give it your best shot.
“Being together as we are, it’s a blessing. That’s what he’d want – everyone together and to make a good day out of it.
“He’d want everyone to laugh and smile. That’s what he’s about.
“That’s what I said to the boys at his wake. I told them, ‘I know it might be hard and you might not want to play but Andrew doesn’t want that. He’d be yelling at you to get out on that field now'.”
The Andrew Beazley Memorial Shield wasn’t just about the trial clash between the under 16 Atherton Roosters and Cairns Brothers.
There were games for the under 10s, 12s and 14s, fun challenges for both clubs and team song battles.
Points were accrued across the day for the Club Challenge Shield, which was also won by Atherton.
The signs of love for Andrew – a proud Iman descendent - were inescapable.
His name was scrawled across wrist tape.
His friends helped out wherever they could, from refereeing the younger grades to collecting money at the gate.
One teammate even showed up with his arm in a sling and his footy bag with him "just in case". And while he wasn't allowed on the field, that desire to play for Andrew was clear.
The red and blue colours of the Roosters were everywhere, with toddlers right up to grandparents decked out in Atherton gear.
The younger kids played their matches at 10.30am but were still hanging around when the day wrapped up at 3pm, showing their support for Andrew, his family and his teammates.
During the one minute’s silence, heads were hung and tears flowed.
As the under 16s played, the emotion was evident in every tackle and every run, the force of the collisions felt from the sidelines.
And when they finally claimed that inaugural Andrew Beazley Memorial Shield, the first thing the players did was call Walker into the team photo, proving they really are a family.
Walker knew it was the perfect way to honour her son.
Andrew – who used to do taekwondo - only took up rugby league at the age of 12 after watching his younger twin brothers, Josh and Trev, start to excel at the game.
But once he donned a Roosters jersey, he never looked back.
So, a day of footy and fun – and some tears – was a fitting tribute to the kid he was.
“He’s an amazing kid,” Walker said of Andrew.
“He’d give you the shirt off his own back.
“Not only was he a son but he was a big brother, a cousin, a nephew… and he made his own families through his friendships.
“He was loving and caring, protective… the determination in him was unreal. He loved his sport. I could go on about how amazing he was. He’s a joker too.
“He was always thinking of other people, always gave back to people, always looked out for other people… he’s a people person.
“He would sit down and have a yarn with you. He’s an old soul. He’s going to be missed.”
Walker said the family – including Andrew’s father Steve and sister Chevelle – were processing their grief day by day.
They had felt the full support of the community, including from Andrew’s friends and teammates who not only stop by occasionally for a cup of tea and a chat, but who have taken it upon themselves to look after Chevelle, Josh and Trev.
Some of them even ride the bus to school with the twins, who – along with Andrew’s father – were unable to attend the memorial day due to COVID.
“I have a few boys out on that field that I classify as my own sons,” Walker said of the under 16s team.
“That’s what it’s about. Togetherness.
“They’re there for Andrew’s little sister and his twin brothers. They’re very big supporters. They come in and sit down with us and have a cuppa or a can of Coke or something.
“They always check in on us. I’m proud of them.
“We have our ups and downs, as you do. But we also have our laughs and smiles and look at his videos and photos. We get through it that way.
“The support from the community and the junior rugby league and our family and friends... it’s been amazing. The support gets us through. It gives us the strength to deal with it day by day.”
