“Usually when a team kicks a goal it’s one set of fans cheering, this time it was everyone cheering, it didn’t matter if it was a GIANTS fan or a Swans fans.”
Paul Waterhouse radiates happiness and enthusiasm as he recounts the kick that changed his life some 13 months ago.
“I just remember kicking it and thinking that looks good,” he said.
“I saw it bounce and fall in, the ground announcer gave me this shocked look and then the roar of the crowd was just deafening.”
The GIANTS Member and father of one became the unexpected hero of Sydney Derby X in round 12 last year when he kicked a football 30 metres into a stack of Toyo Tires winning a life-changing $100,000.
His kick whipped an already fever pitch crowd into a frenzy and he relished the moment, taking off for a celebratory sprint before embracing his wife and baby daughter.
“It had never entered my mind that I could win anything, I had no reaction celebration so I just took off,” he said.
“It definitely changed our lives as it’s given us something to laugh about since, it’s been weird and incredible to still be recognised by some fans at games now.
“They say ‘aren’t you that guy?’, it’s given us a good laugh.
“Financially we donated a portion of it to White Ribbon who were a match partner of that game, we gave some money to people we knew needed it at the time and put a dent in our mortgage as well. It’s been a life changing event.”
Because of his kick the television producer was pushed in front of the camera for once, appearing on an array of football shows and in network news packages, and every time they’d try (without success) to get him to replicate the kick.
“I’ve never been able to replicate the kick except for one time, work sent me on a crazy assignment to Mosul, Iraq earlier this year to film the battle against Islamic state.” Waterhouse said.
“I was 400 metres from the front line in a compound that the Iraqi army was using and during a break in the fighting I got out my trusty Sherrin that I had in a backpack, and with a few army guys around we wheeled out this bin.
“I had a few shots and managed to sink one, the army guys were pretty impressed, they’d never seen a football before let alone a trick shot.”
When he’s not showing off his skills around the world, Paul is an avid fan of the GIANTS and at every home game at Spotless Stadium he remains in his seat at three quarter time to cheer on the next Toyo Tires Kick for Cash competitor.
“When I see someone else having a go I’m cheering them on, I’d love to see someone else get it in,” he said.
“If you’re planning on entering wear some good shoes, definitely take it seriously, line it up go back and take a few deep breaths. Give it your all, go high and go long.”
To enter the Toyo Tires Kick for Cash at Sydney Derby XIII simply post a selfie prior to the bounce on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #DrivenToPerform and you could be kicking for $100,000 at three-quarter time.
Toyo Tires is also again supporting White Ribbon by making a $250 contribution for every goal scored by both the GIANTS and Swans on the day.
Be there as the GIANTS take on cross-town rivals the Swans in the latest instalment in the Sydney Derby in a blockbuster Saturday night clash at Spotless Stadium.
CLICK HERE to get your tickets for the game now.
