news, latest-news,
On the worst days, Hayley Rapson visits the mural of her older brother and best friend overlooking the tennis courts where he loved to play and coach. “It amazes me everytime I go, it takes your breath away,” she said. Two years after losing their son and brother Corey, 25, in a car crash in Melbourne’s east the Rapson family are mourning the loss of an “inspiring” and “humble” man. But, the grief never gets better, “you just learn to get up each day for them, and for yourself,” Hayley said. The Canberra tennis coach had recently moved to Melbourne when he was in the front passenger seat of a car which crashed on June 11, 2018. He fought for his life in intensive care for three weeks, visited by a stream of heartbroken friends and family, before he succumbed to extensive injuries on July 4. School friends Mo Ahkouri and David Perfrement wanted to preserve Corey’s story with a mural at Kippax Tennis Club, where they grew up playing and he spent years coaching the next generation. “He was renowned amongst parents and children there, he had a good reputation, everyone loved him,” Mo said. “It’s important to me to keep his memory there, and that the type of person he was is reflected in that mural.” Parents Susie and Jim Rapson say the vibrant image created by local artist John Voir, reflects their spirited son. “This is what is keeping us going,” Susie said. “It was a beautiful idea, we can’t thank them enough. It’s so Corey.” Older brother Matthew shared a love of sport with his brother, he continues to play their favourite games, which his way of continuing Corey’s legacy. Susie passed on her love of tennis to Corey, starting a family tradition they continue to this day. Wearing ‘Team Corey’ T-shirts, the Rapsons attend the Australian Open annually to watch his favourite stars in action. Corey had taken his skills to the United Kingdom and United States and in the days before his death was preparing to return to a tennis academy in Oxford, with a vision to bring his learnings back to Australia, Susie said. The first Corey Rapson Asia Pacific Elite under-14 Sportsmanship and Fair Play trophy was awarded at the Australian Open this year. Similar awards in his honour will be presented at the Oxford and Texas tennis academies where he started his career. Hayley wanted her brother to be remembered for this kindness and humility. “He wanted everyone around him to be happy, and never expected anything in return. I live by that now,” Hayley said. The Rapson family will welcome friends and family to an unveiling of the mural at 11am, on Saturday, December 12.
/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc7d9frc5ecpxy0ez7axc.jpg/r0_161_5000_2986_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
On the worst days, Hayley Rapson visits the mural of her older brother and best friend overlooking the tennis courts where he loved to play and coach.
“It amazes me everytime I go, it takes your breath away,” she said.
Two years after losing their son and brother Corey, 25, in a car crash in Melbourne’s east the Rapson family are mourning the loss of an “inspiring” and “humble” man.
But, the grief never gets better, “you just learn to get up each day for them, and for yourself,” Hayley said.
The Canberra tennis coach had recently moved to Melbourne when he was in the front passenger seat of a car which crashed on June 11, 2018.
He fought for his life in intensive care for three weeks, visited by a stream of heartbroken friends and family, before he succumbed to extensive injuries on July 4.
School friends Mo Ahkouri and David Perfrement wanted to preserve Corey’s story with a mural at Kippax Tennis Club, where they grew up playing and he spent years coaching the next generation.
“He was renowned amongst parents and children there, he had a good reputation, everyone loved him,” Mo said.
“It’s important to me to keep his memory there, and that the type of person he was is reflected in that mural.”
Parents Susie and Jim Rapson say the vibrant image created by local artist John Voir, reflects their spirited son.
“This is what is keeping us going,” Susie said.
“It was a beautiful idea, we can’t thank them enough. It’s so Corey.”
Older brother Matthew shared a love of sport with his brother, he continues to play their favourite games, which his way of continuing Corey’s legacy.
The Rapson family will welcome friends and family to an unveiling of the mural at 11am, on Saturday, December 12. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos
Susie passed on her love of tennis to Corey, starting a family tradition they continue to this day. Wearing ‘Team Corey’ T-shirts, the Rapsons attend the Australian Open annually to watch his favourite stars in action.
Corey had taken his skills to the United Kingdom and United States and in the days before his death was preparing to return to a tennis academy in Oxford, with a vision to bring his learnings back to Australia, Susie said.
The first Corey Rapson Asia Pacific Elite under-14 Sportsmanship and Fair Play trophy was awarded at the Australian Open this year. Similar awards in his honour will be presented at the Oxford and Texas tennis academies where he started his career.
Hayley wanted her brother to be remembered for this kindness and humility.
“He wanted everyone around him to be happy, and never expected anything in return. I live by that now,” Hayley said.
The Rapson family will welcome friends and family to an unveiling of the mural at 11am, on Saturday, December 12.
