JackJumper George’s star shines bright

Six-year-old George McNees was the star of the JackJumpers practice session on Monday.

George and his sister Arabella joined the team huddle and had a shoot around with Sam McDaniel and Clint Steindl as part of the family’s involvement with the Starlight Foundation.

George has been undergoing treatment for a slow growing brain tumour for most of his young life, since being diagnosed when he was just 11 months old. .

“We’ve recently returned from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne where George has been on a clinical trial for 16 months. We’re not going to get to a point to where he’s in remission, so we’re really we’re waiting on technology to catch up and to give us some hope” Mum Sarah McNees said.

“This visit has been in the works for a while but because of the COVID bubble it’s been delayed. George woke up this morning at 5am and asked ‘Is today the day?’ and I said ‘Yep, today’s the day you get to be a JackJumper” she said.

George and Arabella are huge JackJumpers fans and have been watching games as a distraction from George’s health challenges.

“The JackJumpers have been amazing for our family over the past year. Basketball is really Arabella’s thing, but George comes to her games when he’s feeling well and cheers her on. But to come here is just amazing, the guys are just great with them.

“We’re just trying to live in the moment which is really difficult when you know you don’t have a lifetime with your child.

“He’s going to leave a lasting legacy no matter how long he’s here for” McNees said.

JackJumpers Captain Clint Steindl says that George is an inspiration for the entire group and brought an infectious energy to practice.

“You know we go into a game and we’re fighting for our season but these guys are fighting for much bigger things. That’s where we draw inspiration from”.

“He’s got the biggest smile on his face and that’s all you can ask for. If we can make a small difference and help create some great memories for their family, we’ve done our job”.

Sam McDaniel also presented George and Arabella with a personalised jerseys ahead of the family attending the JackJumpers last roster game on March 23 at MyState Bank Arena.

“It’s been an amazing experience. Sporting communities are something special, the JackJumpers have really made us feel apart of the family and it’s a moment that we’ll hold onto and remember forever.

“I think he feels like he is a part of the team, he’ll be asking what position he can play” McNees said.