Daniel and Ali Bevan open up on their son Koby’s miracle survival, hearing impaired sporting rise

Nearly 10 years ago Koby Bevan dodged death as a baby and now he is defying the odds by laying footy tackles doctors never thought he would be able to do. Go inside the remarkable story of this junior rugby star.

Koby Bevan and rugby union coach Hosea Gear. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Nearly 10 years ago Koby Bevan dodged death as a baby and now he is defying the odds by laying footy tackles doctors never thought he would be able to do.

When Bevan, 9, was just three-months-old he became violently ill with what was later diagnosed as bacterial meningitis.

His parents Daniel and Ali took their youngest son to a doctor but were sent home to Wurtulla before his condition deteriorated.

“He got sick and got worse and worse so we rushed him to the hospital,” Daniel Bevan said.

Bevan was admitted to the Nambour Hospital on the Sunshine Coast where he remained for two weeks and nearly died.

Koby Bevan in hospital as a baby.

His incredible survival was followed by news he had lost hearing in both ears.

“He had just turned one and we got called back for some hearing tests which he failed a few times,” his parents said.

“That was another big shock to be honest because we had all of these plans for him, this life we dreamt of for him but we knew it would now be something he would have to deal with for the rest of his life.”

Bevan was initially fitted with hearing aids but tests found they weren’t giving him enough access to speech sounds.

He was a suitable candidate for cochlear implant surgery which he has had since he was 18-months-old.

“Getting our heads around it all took a number of years to be honest,” the Bevan’s said.

“There was lots of speech therapy, hospital visits, appointments, operations and so on.”

Koby Bevan at 20 months with his parents Daniel and Alison and brother Chace at Hear and Say in Nambour.

Mr Bevan shifted his work commitments while Bevan was undergoing these life changes, quitting his FIFO role to launch his own business, Advanced Edge Protection.

“I had to turn around and re-evaluate everything,” he told this masthead in 2016.

“We miss him so much and especially after Koby got so sick - it’s so hard for me to be alone when he’s away, because I just worry about them getting sick,” Mrs Bevan said.

The couple quickly realised not many setbacks would keep Bevan down after gifting him his first balance bike as a kid.

“He was zooming around before he’d even turned two and since then he’s played various sports, loves wakeboarding, skateboarding, motorbike riding and swimming,” they said.

“Anything he dreams up and wants to do he goes and does it.”

Koby is an eager and active child.

Bevan began playing football for Bli Bli United when he was seven-years-old but decided last year he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Chace and join the Maroochydore Swans Rugby Union Club.

“Chace was playing football too but once he started playing rugby union that’s all Koby wanted to do as well,” Mrs Bevan said.

They quickly knew their next challenge was allowing Bevan to take part in a contact sport, knowing a potential knock could dislodge or damage his internal cochlear implant.

The Bevan’s were first given hope that he could live an active life after hearing the story of Liam Prineas, a young rugby player from Nudgee College who also wears cochlear implants.

Thanks to a special partnership between rugby manufacturer Steeden, the Bevan family was approached and their son was equipped with a specially designed headgear to provide the rising star with extra protection.

Koby Bevan with his brother Chace. Photo: Patrick Woods.

“We’re a halfway through the season now but it’s just so awesome and makes us even prouder,” the Bevan’s said.

“He’s in the rucks, in the mauls, running hard, tackling with confidence, getting trampled on but he just loves it and has a good go.

“He occasionally will adjust his headgear because the cochlear comes off the internal component so he just gives it a shake and it magnetises back on and away he goes.”

The head coach of the Swans under-9s team is none other than former New Zealand All Black Hosea Gear.

“It’s the first I’ve ever seen really and I’m still so blown away with how it works and how Koby is able to take part,” Gear said.

“It’s such an awesome thing to give a child the opportunity to be able to play sports and the game of rugby union.

“You wouldn’t even pick that he has those on and that he has any issues or difficulty whatsoever.

“He’s a great kid, he loves to just rip in and is very accepting of his situation so it’s quite remarkable.”

Sunshine Coast rugby union player Koby Bevan and coach Hosea Gear. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Bevan said he had been enjoying his start to the season.

“My brother started playing rugby last year so I wanted to have the feeling of tackling people like him,” he said.
“I have fun at training and playing the game on Saturdays

“Hosea teaches us the right way to pass, catch, tackle and score tries.”

Bevan’s older brother and hero Chace said he was proud of his efforts.

“It’s definitely special, I watch him train and play as much as I can and I know it’s all pretty cool,” he said.

“I know he loves playing footy, we play in the backyard every chance we get that we’re not doing chores.”

Ali, Koby, Chace and Daniel Bevan. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Hear and Say CEO Sharon Stokell, who is one of the Sunshine Coast’s leading experts in hearing technology and highly specialised speech therapy, had followed Bevan’s journey with pride.

“Koby’s incredible resilience and determination showcase just how limitless life can be with the right support, and we at Hear and Say are so proud to see him excelling in Rugby and inspiring others along the way,” she said.

“His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, proving that hearing loss is no barrier to chasing dreams and achieving greatness.”

Mr and Mrs Bevan said their youngest son was continuously growing in confidence.

“He’s now doing really well, he speaks perfectly, is doing well in school, playing sport which he loves so he really is firing,” they said.

“He actually dislocated his shoulder playing rugby the other week but he was most upset when he was told he wouldn’t be able to play for a week.”

The Bevan family thanked the incredible and ongoing support from the Maroochydore rugby union club, Steeden and not-for-profit organisation Hear and Say.