Family and friends of Nick ‘Snake’ Baker pay tribute after sporting superstar’s sudden death
The Warwick sporting community is mourning the loss of rugby and cricket icon Nick ‘Snake’ Baker, with family and friends paying tribute to the larrikin who will be dearly missed by all.
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Playing and participating in sport was a passion that ran deep for late Southern Downs rugby and cricket superstar Nicholas ‘Snake’ Baker, who died suddenly in August aged 32.
From an early age Nick had always shown interest in cricket and rugby, following in the footsteps of generations of relatives including his father Wayne ‘Mr Snake’ Baker, who in his younger days also played in Warwick rugby league collegians and suburbs sides.
Rugby wasn’t Nick’s only passion, and during his school years he represented the Darling Downs in cricket and was later the opening bowler in the Queensland school boys cricket team.
“Weekends were just filled with sport, his (younger) sister Tegan was into tennis and represented the Darling Downs for both tennis and soccer,” Wayne said.
Sports aside, nothing compared to the love Nick held for his two young daughters, Mackenzie and Zariah-Leah, with his most cherished role in life being ‘dad’.
“He just loved helping the kids and seeing them develop, anybody that needed help he was there (for them),” Wayne said.
Nick’s eldest daughter Mackenzie, 12, has also developed a flare for sport, and recently travelled to Cairns to play soccer with her team now set to play in Townsville in the coming weeks.
Coaching was always in Nick’s blood, with Wayne proudly recalling one of his son’s many great achievements and the beginning of his coaching career at the mere age of 18 when he landed a position helping to coach a Brisbane Broncos feeder club.
“He was an assistant coach the first 12 months while he was at TAFE, and when they played the grand final (that year) they only lost by two points,” Wayne said.
“At school (Nick) was very smart, all of his teachers always said he could be anything he wanted to be, he was academic, sporty and just very switched on.”
A great dream of Nick’s was to coach at school grade levels and travel around Queensland helping young kids to reach their sporting potential.
While he may not have had the chance to fulfil his ultimate coaching dream, Nick spent many years since returning to the region coaching various junior and senior grades for the Warwick Cowboys Rugby League Club.
Warwick Cowboys Rugby League Club president Dayne Barrett said Nick had an unforgettable presence and his infectious character would be sorely missed.
“He was a highly talented player and excellent at kicking goals,” Mr Barrett said.
“A few years ago, he was awarded the Tom Barrett Memorial Trophy for his loyalty of service to the club on and off the field.
“He had the best laugh and he will always be much loved and missed by the club.”
Nick ‘Snake’ Baker is survived by his two daughters Mackenzie and Zariah-Lea, partner Natalie, parents Wayne and Leanne ‘Mr and Mrs Snake’, two sisters Skye and Tegan and their children.
Family and friends of the Baker’s are respectfully invited to attend Snake’s funeral, to be held at Eden Gardens Memorial Park in Warwick on Saturday, September 9 at 1.30pm and are asked to please wear red, white or any sporting jerseys.
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