Corey Enright is one of ten nominees in the Philips Sports Dad of the Year.
In its fifth year, the Philips Sports Dad of the Year will highlight 10 elite athletes across a broad range of sporting fields, giving insights into how they juggle fatherhood with their sporting commitments.
This year's competition has again attracted some of the biggest names in Australian sport, all competing for the title of best Sports Dad in Australia.
1. Joel Parkinson – Surfing; ASP world champion
2. Daniel Geale – Boxing; World champion boxer
3. Jude Bolton – AFL; Swans legend
4. Mark Schwarzer – Soccer; Socceroos World Cup superstar
5. Corey Parker – NRL; Broncos & QLD Origin star
6. Luke Nolen - Horse Racing; Champion jockey of Black Caviar
7. Nick Maxwell – AFL; Collingwood captain
8. Brett Morris – NRL; Dragons & NSW Origin try scoring machine
9. Corey Enright – AFL; Geelong’s 3 x premiership winner
10. Danny Buderus – NRL; Knights legend
All you have to do is go online and vote, and in 25 words or less let us know why you think your chosen sports dad should be crowned the Philips Sports Dad of the Year. The sporting dad who gets the most votes will win $5000 to donate to his charity of choice and thanks to Philips you could win the Philips Ultimate Father’s Day Grooming Pack valued at more than $5000.
Vote now for Corey at sportsdads.com.au.
Voting ends on Tuesday, August 27, and the winner will be announced on Father’s Day, Sunday, September 1.
Corey Enright's Profile
Partner’s name: Renee
Child’s name: Boh (10 months)
To say Corey Enright has had a remarkable career in the AFL is an understatement, for the veteran Geelong defender has achieved practically everything there is to achieve in the game. Three premierships. All Australian selection. Two time club best and fairest, once in a premiership year. Since his debut in 2001, Enright has played more than 260 games for the all-conquering Cats, where he has established himself as one of the best rebounding defenders in the competition, finishing in the top five in the Cats’ best and fairest list on seven seasons. But, he can place fatherhood among his greatest achievements … playing the doting dad role to young son Boh with the ease of plucking a Sherrin out of the sky. “Obviously things have changed quite a lot since Boh’s birth,” he said. “Boh takes up a lot of our time and a lot of our thinking.
You learn to adjust as every day can be different and throw up different things along the way. Everything you do involves him and your priorities in life certainly change. “The nappy changing for the first time was quite challenging for me as I had never done it before.
It took me a few weeks to master the art of nappy changing! I was very slow going early on. Bathing Boh is a highlight of our day as he loves the water and gets excited for it. “I find it extremely satisfying when I come home from work and walk in the door and he recognises me. Then having the opportunity to interact and play with him is a great way to end a day.” Renee says: “His best asset as a father I think is definitely his calming relaxed easy going nature. Not much fazes Corey and it takes a lot to get him even half frazzled. He is patient and gentle and kids (not just his own) are drawn to his energy and love being around him. I hope Boh has inherited these qualities from his dad.”
Have you found it hard spending time away from Boh during the season?
Yes sometimes I find it hard if I am away all day and then only see him briefly before he goes to bed or if we are traveling away. It makes it very exciting when you arrive home. – Corey
Do you have a memorable moment with him at this early stage?
Lots of things come to mind at this early stage, like taking him home from hospital, seeing him eat solid food for the first time and watching him start to crawl have all been highlights. – Corey
I guess you've seen your partner in a whole new light?
Yes for sure. Mother's do such an amazing job and my wife is certainly an amazing mum to our son. She is a caring person so she has taken to motherhood naturally. The amount of time she devotes to Boh and the way she looks after him makes me feel at ease. Seeing the two of them together and the love they both have for each other is such a wonderful thing. – Corey
How do you rate the birth of Boh to winning a premiership?
They are both entirely different and very separate. You wouldn't ever compare the two. Both have made me a very happy and lucky man! – Corey
How hard is it when he has to be away from home and on game days?
It is hard when Corey has to be away, it's hard on us and probably more so on him, he hates being away from Boh and feels like he's missing out. But he's out there providing for his family and also living his dream. What better kind of role model could a kid ask for in a dad?! And seeing Boh's reaction when Corey walks through those doors after a trip away … nothing beats that! – Renee
What tasks does he perform in helping you?
Corey has been such a hands on dad from day dot, sharing the task of nappies, bath time and even putting his hand up for "night shift" as we call it, when baby Boh decides to wake every half hour! I guess he always makes me feel like it’s a team effort, and he really is the glue that holds our little family together. He cooks, he cleans, he shares the load and is an amazing husband and father. We are very very lucky. – Renee
