General News
21 January, 2021
Anthony Muoio: Athertons biggest sporting supporter
ANTHONY Muoio, a 44-year-old Atherton local born with a disability is considered to be one of Atherton’s greatest sporting supporters.
ANTHONY Muoio, a 44-year-old Atherton local born with adisability is considered to be one of Atherton’s greatest sporting supporters.
Born to Frank and Lynette Muoio at the Atherton Hospital on December 5, 1976, Anthony was born with cerebral palsy as was his older brother Angelo, hisyounger sister Marianne however was not.
This made normal life for Anthony difficult but it has not stopped him from living his life to the fullest.
He attended school, worked at the Atherton International Club and he shows up to every game played by the Atherton Roosters and Atherton Cricket. This devotion has seen him recognised as one of Atherton’s biggest sporting supporters.
Both the Atherton Cricket and Roosters players often drop by to pick up Anthony and take him to their games wherever they may be.
“I feel very proud,” Anthony said.
“It makes me feel involved with the clubs.
“I was disappointed that the last season of football was called off, so I’m looking forward for this season to start.”
Anthony saw his first Roosters game in 1992 at the startof their season and ended up running the team onto the field during their grand final battle against Mareeba, an honor he held onto through the 90’s until the early 2000’s.
Since then, Anthony has attended every possible game withplayers, coaches and even other supporters taking him to and from games.
Anthony has been the official timekeeper for the Roostersfrom 2000 and is recognised by everyone who attends the games.
Atherton Rooster A grade coach Graham Clark Snr saidthat Anthony is always welcomed at the games and knownby everyone.
“Anthony is everybody’s mate, he gets on with everyone,” he said.
“He’s always happy and smiling always interested in the games.
“Anthony is 100% Atherton’s greatest sporting supporter.”
In December last year Anthony had to undergo emergencysurgery on his spine to remove two discs that were pressing on his spinal cord.
He was then surprised in his hospital bed by the Atherton Cricket Club and Rovers Cricket Club when they decided to name an annual match between the two teams after Anthony and another longtime supporter andfriend from Rovers, Greg Fer- guson.
The Muoio-Ferguson Shield will be played annually between Rovers and Atherton close toAnthony’s birthday on December 5.
Atherton Cricket first grade captain, Tom Boorman said that even while in hospital Anthony would call him just to see how the team was going.
“We see Anthony as our 12th man and number one fan,” he said.
“He picks the team up and you can see just how much it means to him when we win and how gutted he is when we lose.
“No matter where we are playing or how he is feeling he is always looking out for how we are doing.”
