The S-Files

At Last--A Good News Story

Contra Celsum is gratified to be able to announce it has bestowed an S-Award on Junior Sau.

This is a rare award. Firstly, it is being given to a sports man. Whilst sport is a wonderful cultural institution, it is unusual for sports people to come within the frame of contributing to society or humanity either in salutary or egregious ways. Sports people play games, after all. (Yes, yes--we are aware that our ante-diluvian attitude will arouse the ire of fellow bloggers such as Keeping Stock. Such is the price of nerdishness.)

Secondly, Mr Sau is a rugby league player in the NRL. Of all sporting codes in this part of the world, rugby league has been under the cosh for a long time now over the disreputable behaviour of players and administrators alike. It has been a scandal ridden code.

Nevertheless, Mr Sau's actions and behaviour demand recognition and acknowledgement.

Citation:

According to reports in the media, the following transpired in the early hours of the morning on a recent Saturday in Sydney.

A 15 year old girl was being savagely beaten. She had been cut on the back of the head and the brave assailants had her on the ground, were punching her,kicking her in the head, and were threatening to "cut up your face and leave you scarred for life".

The girl's parents had been called, and had arrived in their car, horrified at what was happening, their car being a target for thrown bottles. Another car had been driving past, but stopped. Out stepped Junior Sau, 22 years old, a Newcastle Knights centre. As he moved towards the group of thugs, they backed off. He stood with the girl and her family, running a tight defensive line, until the police arrived.

The girl's mother sent a letter to Junior, thanking him and saying the family would never forget what he had done.

Such reactions are neither planned nor prepared for. They are spontaneous and come forth from one's character.

Junior Sau, Rugby League player: S-Award, Class I, for performing a citizen's duty in a manner that was Smart, Sound and Salutary.