Member Profile 2 - Finding Cosgrove's Groove

April 10, 2012 | Share

During the 2010 Soccer Dinner, it was mentioned that you got a record three hat tricks, can you tell us about it?

Yes I took a hat of wickets against a touring side from China last November. The other two hat tricks were related to football in the the late 90’s and a hat trick of tries in a rugby match in 2005 when playing for the British Lions in the 7-a-side World Cup in Nomads.

What do you think about Philippine Football?

I’d like to think it’s on the up-swing and we at Nomads do support the UFL. It’s nice to see some money start to come into the game. The Azkals generated a lot of interest in the sport. We’ve been saying for years it could be and should be big in the Philippines but there are lots of questions to be asked - such as - is the current interest sustainable? What plans are there for the development and maintenance of pitches? What grass roots programs are there to really bring the sport to the masses?

What is your biggest accomplishment in sports?

Not sure I’ve really had any. I suppose when I was 16, reaching the semi-finals of the Welsh National Schoolboy ABA Finals in a place called Splott in Cardiff, I lost on majority decision. I think I have done enough to have won the contest.

What got your started in sports and at what age?

Just a natural love of running and playing. I was lucky enough to be brought up in a place where there were plenty of places to go and do things, beaches, mountains, parks – Llandudno, North Wales. I was encouraged by my father from an early age (5/6) to play sports, so like most children my age in the early 70’s, we were out kicking a ball or playing cricket or tennis. It was just the natural thing to do – very little TV and video games hadn’t been invented and the computer and Facebook were a good 30 years away!

What was the best advice you were given?

Where there’s a will - there’s a way. Basically don’t give up on things, despite what other people may say; a little self belief can go a long way.

Apart from sports, you got involved with music. Can you refresh our memory about this?

When I arrived in the Philippines, I met up with a group playing Ska music called Put 3 Ska. I ended up managing them on a part time basis (95/96) for 15 months or so. During that time we had a huge hit (by local standards) – Manila Girl – which ended up being nominated for best Asian music video at the MTV awards and it came runner up.

It was a very interesting time and I got an insight into the music business which had always interested me. Unfortunately, the demands of the band became too time-consuming as it became more popular; so it was inevitable we went our separate ways. They disbanded and formed other bands from 98 onwards. I’m still in touch with a few members of the band today who are all off doing other things now – some in bands though two of them are lecturers in Music at UP and play in high quality orchestras – there was some talent in that band!

How do you see Nomads 5 years from now?

Hopefully Nomads will go from strength to strength.

Perhaps one of the biggest successes over the last 4 years and something we are all keen to see continue to develop is children’s sport. The Nomads Junior Football Academy has been tremendously successful. With the help of the PRFU, we are hoping to boost children’s rugby. Nomads should certainly have a children’s Rugby team especially with the success of the 10’s. It is also great to see cricket taking a junior initiative as well with sessions available on Sunday mornings for the children.

It will be nice to see an end to the hassles the club has been put through recently. I hope the Club can get on with the improvement of the pitches and new plans to improve the club for its members.

Hopefully in five years the Club will be as strong if not stronger than it’s ever been – with the Centennial coming up - I think that would be fitting.