Vale Daniel Berry

The NSW Institute of Sport is saddened to hear of the passing of para-athlete and 2012 NSWIS scholarship holder Daniel Berry, 22, who lost his battle with cancer.

Diagnosed with cancer as a 16 year old, Berry took up swimming as a way to recover from the illness, before eventually playing football and representing Australia in the sport in 2009. However, with the 2012 Paralympic Games on the horizon, Berry then turned his attention to athletics in a bid to compete in London.

In the lead up to the Games Berry competed at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships, where he set a new Australian record in the men’s T36 1500m, before ultimately missing selection for the Paralympic team.

Despite not being able to compete in London, Berry attended the Games with his family to cheer on his compatriots and friends on the Paralympic team, undoubtedly raising the spirits of his fellow athletes.

Berry continued to promote his sport through APC Talent Search days, which he initially attended to begin his football career, before being diagnosed with cancer again in late 2012.

Over the last seven months Berry continued to fight his illness with the same spirit he put in to his sport, before passing away on Monday, July 8 2013.

Vale Daniel Berry.

Many thanks extended to the Australian Paralympic Committee, David Tarbotton and Ron Bendall for contributing to this piece.