Dragons prop Mike Cooper misses England trip for baby son George
DRAGONS prop Mike Cooper has played in plenty of bruising games in both the NRL and Super League.
But nothing could prepare the tough Englishman for the birth of his first son George – who was born seven weeks premature to Cooper and his partner Katie earlier this month at Wollongong Hospital.
It means Cooper won’t flinch when St George Illawarra play his former club Warrington in their World Club Series clash in his home town on Saturday morning (Saturday 6.30am AEDT).
“I’m not thinking about that, I’m just concentrating on being at hospital,” Cooper said.
“It’ll be a good game to watch.”
Nothing could prepare Cooper and Katie for George’s arrival on February 4.
Not due until the middle of next month, the couple got an unexpected shock when Katie complained of some stomach pains.
She was soon rushed to hospital, giving birth to a “pretty small” George Joseph who remains in the Neonatal unit.
“It was the scariest time of my life,’’ Cooper, 26, told The Daily Telegraph.
“Like any parents says, nothing else matters when you become a dad.
“I was pretty much in hospital with Katie for five days.
“Everything you do is to look after your child and your family. All my focus is on them. Katie was unbelievably strong, what she managed to do.
“I don’t think you can go anywhere near the pain and emotion you feel when your family is at stake. Football takes a backward step.
“George is doing really well. Hopefully in the near future when he comes home it will make it extra special.’’
George’s premature arrival ruled Cooper out of the World Club Series.
He is a born and bred Warrington lad, who started his career in the Wolves under-11s before going on to play 122 Super League games for the club.
But none of that matters, his sole focus is on getting baby George home safe and sound.
“It’s been pretty amazing,’’ Cooper said of the past fortnight.
“The staff at the hospital in Wollongong and the way they have looked after him.
“Mary (coach Paul McGregor) and the Dragons have also been very supportive... I’ve just been 24x7 focused on Katie and being at the hospital.”
http://ift.tt/1JrnW8y
- Jason Avedissian
- The Daily Telegraph
- February 20, 2015 12:00AM
DRAGONS prop Mike Cooper has played in plenty of bruising games in both the NRL and Super League.
But nothing could prepare the tough Englishman for the birth of his first son George – who was born seven weeks premature to Cooper and his partner Katie earlier this month at Wollongong Hospital.
It means Cooper won’t flinch when St George Illawarra play his former club Warrington in their World Club Series clash in his home town on Saturday morning (Saturday 6.30am AEDT).
“I’m not thinking about that, I’m just concentrating on being at hospital,” Cooper said.
“It’ll be a good game to watch.”
Nothing could prepare Cooper and Katie for George’s arrival on February 4.
Not due until the middle of next month, the couple got an unexpected shock when Katie complained of some stomach pains.
She was soon rushed to hospital, giving birth to a “pretty small” George Joseph who remains in the Neonatal unit.
“It was the scariest time of my life,’’ Cooper, 26, told The Daily Telegraph.
“Like any parents says, nothing else matters when you become a dad.
“I was pretty much in hospital with Katie for five days.
“Everything you do is to look after your child and your family. All my focus is on them. Katie was unbelievably strong, what she managed to do.
“I don’t think you can go anywhere near the pain and emotion you feel when your family is at stake. Football takes a backward step.
“George is doing really well. Hopefully in the near future when he comes home it will make it extra special.’’
George’s premature arrival ruled Cooper out of the World Club Series.
He is a born and bred Warrington lad, who started his career in the Wolves under-11s before going on to play 122 Super League games for the club.
But none of that matters, his sole focus is on getting baby George home safe and sound.
“It’s been pretty amazing,’’ Cooper said of the past fortnight.
“The staff at the hospital in Wollongong and the way they have looked after him.
“Mary (coach Paul McGregor) and the Dragons have also been very supportive... I’ve just been 24x7 focused on Katie and being at the hospital.”
http://ift.tt/1JrnW8y
Dragons prop Mike Cooper misses England trip for baby son George
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