Rugby
FALCONS FLANKER ANNOUCES HIS RETIREMENT
27 April 2007
Newcastle Falcons flanker Cory Harris has announced his retirement from rugby.
The Kiwi openside, who turns 32 on Monday, will retire after this weekend having spent almost three seasons at Kingston Park.
The former Celtic Warriors, Pontypridd, Bridgend and Canterbury player said: “The decision was actually made a while ago, but I don’t mind admitting I was welling up and getting pretty emotional when John Fletcher told the boys in our team meeting today.
“I have been very fortunate to play at a host of fantastic clubs during my career, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.
“I made the decision to retire at the end of this season basically because I wanted to bow out with my body still intact and playing at the highest level I could. I’m proud to call my daughter Tilly a Geordie because she was born here, but she is now 17 months old and having family around her as she grows up is important.”
Revealing his plans, Harris said: “Myself, my wife Gail and Tilly will return to Christchurch to see what the future holds for us. Having not seen my family much for the last six years I think that will keep me busy for the first few months before I decide what the next step is.
“I’m fortunate to be at a club where player welfare is hugely important, so for the last six months I’ve been doing a course organised by the Falcons to gain a qualification to become a gym instructor. That’s an area I would like to work in, so I am speaking to people in New Zealand about opportunities to get involved doing that for a living.”
Ever-popular on the terraces, the affable Kiwi reserved his final words for the Falcons fans, stating: “They have given myself and all the team such fantastic backing every single game, they really are wonderful people and I will miss each and every one of them. I take nothing but fond memories of Newcastle back home with me, and when I come to visit the UK I know where my first stop will be.”
Harris made 42 starts and seven bench appearances during his time with the Falcons, scoring six tries.
Director of rugby, John Fletcher, said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Cory, a man who typifies the values we have at Newcastle Falcons of good players and good people supporting each other.
“He has been a top player during his three seasons with us. Even this year when he was not in the starting XV as much as he would have liked his attitude has remained fantastic in captaining the Development XV and giving great support to every single member of the squad. That willingness to share his knowledge and help the team sums up what the guy is about.
“Cory goes home to New Zealand with our best wishes, and he will always be welcome back at Kingston Park as part of the Falcons family.”
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