‘I can’t thank the game enough’: Anderson overwhelmed by rugby league world’s support, fund launched to raise money

Daniel Anderson helped so many players and coaches get to where they are now, so rugby league has rallied together to support him through his toughest time.

The NRL has announced a number of initiatives to support Daniel Anderson following his catastrophic injury late last year. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The rugby league world has rallied to launch the Daniel Anderson Support Fund to help raise money for the former Warriors and Eels coach, who suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury late last year.

The 56-year-old appeared via video link from the Royal Rehabilitation Centre in Ryde, where he thanked the community for its help following his body surfing accident in December.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, current coaches Trent Robinson and Ivan Cleary, as well as former players Nathan Hindmarsh and Mark Coyne, were all at Rugby League Central to announce a number of initiatives to help his recovery.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo announced a number of initiatives to support Daniel Anderson. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The fund is the main port of call for people to contribute, but there will also be a lunch held on July 7 to raise funds, while Round 25 has been dedicated to Anderson, with fans encouraged to donate.

“You’ve been a great contributor to the rugby league family, shaping many people’s lives – whether that be as players or as other stakeholders in the game,” Abdo said.

“While the events that have occurred are tragic, we want you to know that we are here and that we are here to help.”

Anderson was stunned by the support he’s received since the accident, with former players and colleagues sending messages or visiting him to show their love for a man who shaped the careers of countless players and coaches.

“I can’t say thank you enough; I’m a little overwhelmed, to be truthful,” he said.

“I’ve had dozens of video messages since the accident. In January when I wasn’t as healthy as I am now, that gave me the opportunity to see video messages from all over the world. I can’t be more thankful because it got me through some tough times.

“I can’t thank the game enough. It’s as simple as that. It’s going to help me get better again and extract everything I can.

“I look forward to going back to work and entering the community again in the next few months. These are all part of the pathway that will help me get back to what will be a new style of life for me.”

Former players and coaches were at the announcement, where they praised Anderson for shaping their careers. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Anderson was the first footy coach Trent Robinson ever had, while he was also his maths teacher at high school.

Their relationship has stayed strong, with Anderson now in charge of recruitment at the Roosters.

“He does need our help, but it’s hard for him to say he needs that helping hand,” Robinson said.

“That’s why we’ve got to get behind him and help him, because he’s delivered a lot to rugby league over many generations.”

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary says he learnt a lot from his time with Anderson, which included being part of the 2002 Warriors team which made the grand final for the first time in the club’s history.

Anderson was an instrumental figure at the Warriors and helped them become a force in the early 2000s.

“The club went broke after the first year I was there, so it was a tough time for everybody,” he said.

“A new owner came in, and the coach was Daniel Anderson. I can assure you that I didn’t know who he was.

“He totally transformed New Zealand rugby league and the Warriors. We went basically from a basket case in 2001, where we were tipped widely to come last, but we made the finals.

“That was a huge achievement, and then the following year we made the grand final, which was the first grand final in the history of the Warriors. That was Daniel. He brought the team together.

“I think we started 2001 in pre-season training with seven guys, and gradually he tried to find a team, which he did. He shaped the New Zealand boys over there really well.

“As I look back, I’m glad I was coached by Daniel, because I use a lot of what he taught me today.”

Anderson also took the Eels to the 2009 Grand Final, where he shared a special bond with Hindmarsh, who has visited him a couple of times since the accident.

Daniel Anderson and Nathan Hindmarsh remain close after their time together with the Eels.

“He didn’t want any of this,” Hindmarsh said.

“He didn’t want to be seen to be any different to anyone else in this situation. It took us a while to get him across the line.

“He’s doing the best he can but there’s a long road in front of him. Raising as much money as we can is important because so much has changed in his life for him, his wife and his kids.”