‘Keep kicking goals and shine bright’: Family of brave little George McNees announce passing
Tassie’s bravest little battler George McNees passed away after an eight-year battle with cancer, family have confirmed. His family’s touching tribute >
Tasmania
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North Melbourne Football Club led the tributes to Tasmanian boy George McNees on Thursday after the death of the nine-year-old from a lifelong battle with brain cancer.
The McNees family confirmed George’s death via social media on Wednesday, sparking tributes from family, friends and the sporting clubs that George had been associated with.
“We're shattered to share with you that young North Melbourne fan George McNees, who you may have seen spent a lot of time with us, has passed away,” the Kangaroos posted online.
“George was a big Roos man from the start, spent time at the club and at our home fixtures in Melbourne and Hobart, and had a huge impact on our players and staff.”
The club announced its players in the AFLW this Sunday would wear black armbands in tribute, with funds raised from the match going to support the work of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
George, 9, spent most of his life battling an aggressive form of brain cancer called ependymoma, diagnosed when he was just 11 months old.
The McNees family announced in February via their Facebook page, Team George, that cancer had returned in a different part of George’s brain, starting the difficult treatment journey of surgery and chemotherapy again.
The family announced George’s passing on Thursday, stating he was finally “pain-free and now cancer-free”.
“George, you now can open the batting and the bowling for cricket, stand in the goalsquare and kick a bag with the footy, put the goalie gloves on and save the winning shot every time, shot three points anytime time you want or just play PlayStation,” the post said.
“Heaven is a magical place and you will be the best angel they have now.”
George and the McNees family became well-known around Tasmania when friends and family began fundraising for George, and parents Sarah and Darren and sister Arabella to travel for treatment in Melbourne.
Despite his challenges, George always displayed a happy demeanour and battled courageously in and out of hospital, stealing the hearts of Tasmanians.
Darren was also a former fast bowler for Cricket Tasmania, helping to foster George’s love of sport.
An avid sportsman in cricket, football and soccer, George was part of Clarence Football Club’s Junior Roos team as well as being invited to practice with the Tasmanian JackJumpers basketball team, join the coin toss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and visit the North Melbourne AFL team.
Clarence Football Club shared its thoughts and prayers with the McNees family after hearing of George’s passing.
“It’s with a heavy heart we share the news of the recent passing of our Junior Roo George, the club said in a statement posted on social media.
“An absolute fighter, an absolute inspiration, a beautiful boy who loved life and sport more than anything.
“Rest in peace George, keep kicking goals and shine bright.”
Originally published as ‘Keep kicking goals and shine bright’: Family of brave little George McNees announce passing
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