Natalie Chatfield watched her son step out onto the cricket field for the first time through teary eyes.
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Five years ago she was told she would probably never take him home from hospital, but on Monday she watched Harrison Honey, 8, play like any other child at Martin Park.
At the age of 3, Harrison was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer which needed to be removed.
Miss Chatfield said he successfully underwent the 12-hour surgery at Westmead Hospital in Sydney followed by six months of intensive chemotherapy
“It’s been a very long, hard road to get him to this point and for him be able to be a kid,” she said.
“To see him play with the other kids and be included is something I’ve wanted for such a long time.
“He will try anything and everything and won’t stop until he can do it.”
I was excited to play for the first time.
- Harrison Honey
Harrison first heard about the Wodonga Junior Cricket Club when coaches held a cricket day at his school, Wodonga South Primary School.
Monday was his third skills session as part of the Milo cricket program.
Miss Chatfield said his determination to play made the decision easy.
“Harrison came home with a letter which he read out basically begging me to let him play,” she said.
“I couldn’t say ‘no’ any more.
“After his first training session, he wouldn’t stop talking about it for hours after he came home.
“He sat on the phone for an hour to my parents in Tasmania and went to school and told everyone about it the next day.
“As a mum it just makes my heart happy, from having it basically broken.”
The club organised a protective helmet for Harrison, who still suffers seizures.
He said cricket was his favourite sport.
“I like it when I hit the ball and when I get to bowl,” Harrison said.
“I was excited to play for the first time.”
Club president Brad Andrews said when he first heard Harrison's story, he felt compelled to help him feel part of the club.
“It hit me pretty hard, so wanted to make sure he got his wish,” he said.
“He'd missed out on so much all his life, so we wanted to take him on board.
“At the end of his first night, he came up and shook my hand and said ‘thanks’.
“That meant a lot to me.”