Queensland State of Origin star Valentine Holmes has revealed his mother and sister are driving him to greatness on the field.
The Townsville 22-year-old scored the Maroons’ first try during game one of this year’s State of Origin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night.
Holmes moved to Sydney when he was 17 to pursue his sporting dreams, and said he plays for his sister April, who has Down syndrome, and his mother back home.
Queensland State of Origin star Valentine Holmes (pictured with his partner Natalia O’Toole) has revealed his mother and sister are driving him to greatness on the field
Holmes moved to Sydney when he was 17 to pursue his sporting dreams, and said he plays for his sister April (pictured), who has Down syndrome, and his mother back home
‘I always think about them, I play for them,’ Holmes said after signing with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
His mother Lucy cares for his sister full-time, and Holmes said growing up with a sibling with a disability had a big affect on his outlook on life.
‘That’s probably had the biggest influence on my life,’ Holmes said of his family, adding he feels a sense of responsibility to play for them.
‘I try to do it for [my sister] and my mum and my whole family,’ he said.
‘I always think about them, I play for them,’ Holmes said after signing with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (pictured is April Holmes)
‘That’s probably had the biggest influence on my life,’ Holmes (pictured with his partner) said of his family, adding he feels a sense of responsibility to play for them
Keeping his family in mind helped Holmes conquer homesickness and some tough times after first moving to Sydney, he said.
Holmes was born and raised in Townsville, and has now played 91 games for the Sharks, and represented Australia 11 times.
Given State of Origin goal-kicking duties ahead of the Wednesday night’s clash, Holmes scored a sensational 90metre intercept try in the 28th minute.
Holmes converted with ease after his own try, and added another two points from the sideline after Dean Gagai scored off a Ben Hunt grubber in the 43rd minute.
The Townsville 22-year-old scored the Maroons’ first try during game one of this year’s State of Origin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night