Clement gives back a different way

Will Johnston

Dion Clement would love to be playing for the Southern Rugby club, but an accident put an end to his playing days.

Instead, the 25-year-old plays an important role in the premier team, making sure the players are well hydrated on both match-day and at training.

That commitment led to him being presented with his blazer for being involved in 50 premier fixtures on Saturday after the team's loss to New Plymouth Old Boys.

In 2009 at the age of 13, Clement fell off a racehorse. He suffered a traumatic brain injury. The resulting hemiplegia left him in a coma for two months and permanently disabled on his left side.

All contact sport was out the window, but he quickly learned to live with the disability.

“It’s been a tough fight, I’m not able to run but I don’t let it get me down. It was tough adjusting but I’ve learned to live like this,” he said.

He turned to coaching and after a few seasons helping out with high school rugby, he got involved in the Southern premier team in 2017.

Fast forward just over four seasons, the proud moment came when he was presented with the blazer by his uncle, Kerry Fowler, a stalwart of the club.

Dion admits being involved in Southern is great for him.

CAPTION: Kerry Fowler presented Dion Clement with a Southern RC  blazer.