Dura Delivers On Time

Another member of the Phoenix family was delivered today when Phoenix captain Andrew 'Dura' Durante's wife Sarah gave birth to a baby girl.

It was always going to be a tough week - with the Phoenix struggling through injuries, and with Tim Brown suspended, Ricki Herbert had his fingers crossed that the Durantes' first child would arrive in time for his skipper to make the trip to Perth for Sunday’s game against the Glory.

After last week’s win over Newcastle Jets, when it appeared Nick Ward would also be suspended, Ricki joked with Dura that Sarah would have to have the baby in Perth if she hadn’t arrived!

At 5.42pm on Tuesday night everyone breathed a sigh of relief as Adalyn Rose entered the world weighing 3.04kg.

Proud father Andrew said the specialist had asked on Monday if they wanted to induce the baby so that he could be sure of making the Perth game. Such is the life of a professional sportsman these days that even giving birth has to be scheduled! Luckily that was not required.

“We said only if it was safe for the baby. After all it is just a football game,” Dura said.

“In the end the specialist decided against it but did an internal sweep which brings labour on naturally.

“Sarah had a rough night on Monday but we didn’t think she was in labour.

“We went to the hospital where it was confirmed she was in early labour so instead of dragging it out they broke her water at 1.30 and four hours later Adalyn Rose was born.

As with his football and always wanting to be near the action, Dura was did his part during the birth as well.

“It was a fantastic experience because I helped with the birth. I held her head as she was born. I didn’t think I could do it but Sarah encouraged me.”

With all the problems the Phoenix have had in recent weeks Dura said the last thing he expected was for everything to fall into the place with the birth.

“I really thought it would be another problem for us, but everything turned out right in the end,” he said.

And like all good new dads, Dura is making sure new mum is being looked after.

“Ricki is allowing me to go a day later than the rest of the lads so that Sarah’s parents can get here from Australia before I leave.”

Congratulations go to Sarah and Dura and another little kiwi football star is born!