The Darwin grandad still playing rugby at 73, alongside his grandson

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Few Australians have played more rugby league seasons than Top End grandfather Dennis Bree. In Darwin's smothering humidity, he's just marked a significant personal milestone - playing alongside his 17-year-old grandson. The local club the relatives share has also been a space to help young men ‘find their way’, providing a strong sense of community for the players

Transcript

00:00For 73-year-old Dennis Bree, age is just a number.

00:09My mind is still in my 20s, that's the trouble.

00:12And so I don't think about it until something stops.

00:16With nearly 50 rugby seasons under his belt, Dennis has just reached another milestone,

00:22playing in the same team as his 17-year-old grandson Hamish.

00:27I love him so dearly, it's fantastic to be able to play with him, he's such a fine young

00:32man.

00:33It's pretty inspiring how long he's played for and the level he's playing at as well.

00:39Despite a 56-year age gap between the grandpa and grandson duo, Dennis says he doesn't hold

00:46back.

00:47The game itself just gets me, I like the physicality of it, I'm not very skilful but they put up

00:55with me and I'm allowed to run at people, and they're allowed to run at me and I love

00:59it.

01:00I don't know how he does it, if I'm half the man he is at his age I'd be more than happy.

01:05On and off the rugby field, the Palmerston Crocs Rugby Club has fostered a strong sense

01:10of community, especially for young men finding their way.

01:15Not everybody at that age, their teenage years and early 20s are fully grounded, I wasn't.

01:22And a club like this helps them through those years in a really big way.

01:26I've grown up here and people around me have just looked out for me the whole time, so

01:30I really appreciate this club and all they've done for me.

01:33To those wondering how to continue playing sport while getting older, Dennis' advice

01:38is simple.

01:39It's don't stop, there's no reason.

01:44A message to keep going from a man showing no signs of slowing down.

01:52For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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