Of all at the Sharks, NRL assistant coach Steve Price is near the top of the list when it comes to keeping well and truly away from the limelight and media gaze.
Price goes about his business behind the scenes, doing his job to the best of his ability, with a minimum of fuss, preferring the spotlight to be shone on others.
Which pre-empts the story about to be told. Price through his selfless actions wasn’t seeking attention or recognition, but he was following the Sharks mantra of being ‘more than just a football club.’
An email sent to Club CEO Lyall Gorman just last week from a local Shire resident, highlighted Price’s care and concern for a young rugby league fan, with the story and email then shared amongst Sharks football staff.
Below are some snippets from that email.
“To cut a long story short, in 2014 my then 14-year-old son (Max) was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully after chemotherapy and treatment he pulled through and it appears as though he has beaten the cancer (touch wood).
“In 2015 I spoke at a local Shire charity event for the Sydney Children's Hospital, telling our story about what we went through with Max. Steve Price was in attendance as were some of the then Sharks first grade squad.
“Following the charity event Steve introduced himself to me and asked if he could do anything for Max.
“Our whole family are Dragons supporters (sorry!) and Steve, in his own time, insisted on coming around to our house to visit Max, spent some time with him and gave him some Dragons gear that Steve had accumulated during his time there.
“To my great surprise (and delight) Steve contacted me again today to ask how Max was going. We thought he would have well and truly forgotten about us given his own life and busy role with the Sharks and the 2016 premiership etc.
“I just wanted to say on behalf of Max and my entire family how grateful we are for Steve's caring and concern. It means a lot to Max and it means a lot to me.
“I know Steve isn't doing this for any sort of recognition but I believe he deserves to be acknowledged. As part of the Sharks coaching staff Steve is a reflection of your club and I can't speak highly enough of him,” the email said.
And while it wasn’t the intent, Price had at least two new fans cheering for the Sharks in 2016, the email finishing with the following.
“It pains me to say but Max and I were cheering for the Sharks in the 2016 GF and congrats to the Sharkies on your inaugural premiership.”
