Parramatta’s Kenny Edwards determined to break the cycle of domestic violence

WATCHING his mum attempt suicide, witnessing domestic violence and stealing food to survive, Kenny Edwards is determined to break the cycle.

KENNY Edwards will never forget the horrific image of his mother climbing a tree in the backyard with a rope around her neck.

“I remember it as clear as day,’’ Edwards said.

“I was about five years old. She climbed that tree with the rope and I remember rolling around on the floor, screaming.

“She was lucky that day. I was lucky.’’

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Kenny Edwards doesn’t want to repeat what he experienced as a kid. Photo Phil Hillyard

Edwards has revealed to The Daily Telegraph the extraordinary story about his violent and heartbreaking childhood, which included his father Kenneth beating his mother Vanessa daily.

“Drunk, sober, it didn’t matter,’’ said Edwards, shaking his head.

“It was daily. Always the fists.

“Everyone in the family was scared of him. Nobody ever said anything to him because they were scared. He was a big man.

“My siblings were too young, but I copped the brunt of it.’’

Edwards’ mother is now 52 and battling mental illness.

You sense Edwards is only now coming to grips with his shocking past after it was all laid bare in a courtroom a couple of months ago as he faced his own domestic violence charges.

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Edwards pleaded guilty to common assault after he sprayed water in the face of his former partner, Madison Campbell, then poured vodka over her head and bed.

While Edwards never laid a finger on Campbell — the pair remain good friends — the magistrate labelled his actions “demeaning’’.

The Eels and NRL suspended Edwards for seven matches and fined him $60,000. Since the February court hearing, Edwards has cut off all contact with his father.

He knows what witnessed as a child played a part in his own incident with Campbell last December. But Edwards is not looking for a sob story. He is the first to admit he is no saint.

In 2014 he assaulted a taxi driver on the Gold Coast in 2014. After that he took a urine sample for Eels teammate Kaysa Pritchard which cost him the 2015 season.

Edwards thought his NRL career was over after his domestic assault charge.

Edwards looks intimidating on and off the field. Yet you can barely hear his voice when the conversation turns to his family.

It has been a shocking week for the NRL with Cronulla chairman Damian Keogh and players Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor caught up in cocaine scandals.

Edwards is proof no matter how bad things get off the field, they can bounce back with some hard work and determination.

The 27-year-old grew up in the New Zealand town of Levin, about 100km north of Wellington.

The violence was tough to take. Edwards says the scenes from 1990s New Zealand movie Once Were Warriors were not exaggerated.

Edwards was grateful his younger sister, Lynda, and brother, Hopa, were not exposed to the worst.

When his mother finally worked up the courage to leave Kenneth, Edwards was forced to steal food from the local supermarket so his family could eat. They starved for weeks at a time.

Police twice arrested Edwards for shoplifting.

When he was 15, Edwards returned home for Christmas after starting a contract with the prestigious Keebra Park High School on the Gold Coast. Running into his father almost hit breaking point.

“There was alcohol involved, we shaped up, but I had to walk away,’’ Edwards said. “I was lucky I didn’t try to start him. Even today he would give me a hiding.

“Deep down I know he’s a good man, and even now he goes fishing each day, smokes it up and cooks the fish. Then drops it off for the old people around the area to make sure everyone is fed.

“After that court case, I felt like what I went through as a kid was reflected in that incident.

“I’ll speak to him again one day. I’ve had to speak to counsellors about it since. I’ll get around to it.’’

Edwards wants to focus on getting things right. Photo: Mark Evans

Edwards wasted no time repaying his Eels teammates when he returned to the field against Penrith in round eight.

He will have the daunting job of trying to stop Sydney Roosters back rower Boyd Cordner on Sunday at Allianz Stadium.

During his domestic violence case, Edwards was convinced his Parramatta career was finished.

He even had two French rugby and two Super League clubs ready to throw him a lifeline. So sure was he about being bounced out the front door at Parramatta, Edwards had worked out how his children could live with him abroad.

But such is the love for the blue and golds — and especially coach Brad Arthur — Edwards wants to become an Eel for life.

Edwards knows he owes the club and his teammates for their support. Photo: Phil Hillyard

The incident with Campbell happened on a Sunday. Edwards woke up early Monday and raced to the Eels’ training complex, knowing Arthur would already be there.

The coach is always one of the first people to arrive for work. It became public news on the Tuesday.

“Brad told me I’d let my teammates down, and I knew I needed to work my arse off to get back,’’ Edwards said.

“I love this place, I love what Brad brings to the place, and what my teammates bring every week. If it was up to me I’d sign here the next 10 years.

“Every club has the goal of winning the competition, but I think we’ve got the group to do it, and we’re gathering some momentum.’’

Rugby league really can save.