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Thomas Cockburn is not letting a shock diagnosis get in the way of his life and achievements, having received his 100-game blazer from the Springston Rugby Club.
The 28-year-old was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in September, forcing him off the field prematurely, just three games shy of 100 division 1 matches.
But in a gesture of goodwill, Springston presented Cockburn with his blazer last Saturday.
Said club president Courtney Whitmore: “It wasn’t that he didn’t play those three, it’s that he couldn’t play those three”.
Cockburn, who played lock, told Selwyn Times the recognition made him feel “pretty good”.
“It's [acknowledged] a lot of dedication, a lot of time given for one team – it's taken eight or nine years playing for the same team, turning up every week and, yeah, playing rugby,” he said.
“I want to thank the club for all the work that they're doing.
“They didn't have to do this for me.
“I'm very grateful that they are still thinking of me, and doing what they can to help and support.
“Both me and my family are really thankful.”
Cockburn went to a neurologist for calf and back pain last year, only to be given the devastating news he had MND.
“I'm coping with it in my own way.
“I just try not to think about it too much, so that I can just kind of continue on with life.”
Cockburn started playing with the Springston colts about a decade ago.
“Then they started a division 1 team, and I just moved up with them, and I've been playing it ever since,” he said.
“There was a core of people that we played with from the start. Three others got 100 games as well.”
Whitmore said the club had already got Cockburn’s blazer made before his diagnosis.
“Then obviously ‘TC’ was unable to play anymore.
“So after chats with him and his family and the coaches, we decided that we would do a blazer presentation on club day this season anyway.
“It just really shows that kind of team spirit and camaraderie, and that commitment of playing at a high level."
Whitmore said the presentation went beyond rugby. Club vice-president and teammate, Josh Farrar-de Wagt, said it got “a wee bit” emotional.
“Given all the circumstances and everything that's going on with him, and having played with him, it was quite moving to me. It takes so long to get there. He just seems to be getting on with it, like he doesn't seem any different to me in terms of mentality or anything like that.”
Cockburn said people have told him he has the right attitude.
“I don't know if it's a compliment or not, but it's nice to hear. I've kind of always had a bit of a laid-back attitude,” he said.
Cockburn and his partner Eilish Robinson-Kelly got married in a small, private ceremony with family and friends. The newlyweds are now headed for Europe.
“It’s those sorts of things that are always going to get me going, things like holidays or big events,” Cockburn said.
He has made a bank of voice recordings in case he loses his speech, has a wheelchair that he is get used to, and an occupational therapist has helped raise the height of his couch and put stools around the house.
“We're already on top of it and not on the back foot.”