Just weeks after leading Bega to the Group 16 premiership and being named the competition’s player of the year in his first season with the club in 2022, Cameron Vazzoler was diagnosed with a rare disorder called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
With GBS, your immune system attacks your nerves and causes weakness, tingling and eventually paralyses your whole body. Researchers don’t know exactly what causes the disorder and while it can be fatal, full recoveries can also be made.
The Roosters Captain/Coach missed the entire 2023 season, but he made his successful return to the field over the weekend.
Vazzoler not only took part in the game on Sunday, he scored Bega’s first try, and was arguably the difference in the Roosters 32-26 win over Batemans Bay.
Roosters President Phil Dummett told ARN the club was stoked to have him back.
“It’s been a hell of a fight for Cam, from winning a premiership and having our presentation night, and then two weeks later, he’s in hospital and in a walking frame,” Dummett said.
“The work he’s done personally to get himself back to where he is now, as he says himself he’s not 100 per cent but around 90 per cent and improving all the time, and I think it won’t be long before he is back to 100 per cent.”
This Sunday will be a special day for Vazzoler and the club, when the Roosters meet the Moruya Sharks on his birthday, in what will be the club’s final game at the Bega Rec Ground for some time while works start on the new Bega Sporting Complex.
“We’ve got to vacate after this weekend’s home game, so we are going to be playing home games at Colombo Park in Bemboka, we looked at Cobargo but we decided to play at Bemboka for the rest of the season, as for where the grand final will be played, we’re not sure at this stage,” Dummett said.
“Fences will go up on April 29, then the demolition of the existing building will take place, and then the construction of the new building will take place,”
“It’s going to be a real asset for the region and our athletes, and when people see it, they’ll say wow.”
The project will address numerous deficiencies within the existing complex, including outdated facilities, non-compliant and inadequate change rooms, limited disability access, and ageing indoor courts.
The NSW Office of Sport is the major funding partner of this project.
The Bega Roosters are hoping to get a big turnout to their final home game at the old Bega Rec Ground this Sunday, to say farewell.
SUNDAY 21ST APRIL (Bega Recreation Ground)
10:30am – Women’s League Tag – Bega Chicks v Tathra She Eagles.
11:30am – Under 18’s – Bega Roosters v Moruya Sharks.
1pm – Reserve Grade – Bega Roosters v Moruya Sharks.
2:30pm – First Grade – Bega Roosters v Moruya Sharks.
Images: Bega Roosters, Bega Valley Shire Council, James Fennessy – ARN
