Softball: Former Bay star bats for disabled

REHAB TIME: Former Hawke's Bay softballer Les Broadman completes a leg press session as he recovers from 17 strokes and two heart attacks. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

WIND the clock back to the late 1990s and turn of the century when Hawke's Bay men's softball teams were a force on the national scene.

Les Broadman was always among the first to be picked in those Hawke's Bay and Central Vikings sides as well as his Fast Pitch premier men's team.

A "Mr Consistent" with the bat and a "Mr Reliable" with the glove regardless of what defensive position he was assigned, Broadman, a former New Zealand Under-19 rep, never let his coaching staffs down.

It wasn't a surprise when Hawke's Bay softball legend and International Softball Federation Hall of Famer Chubb Tangaroa named Broadman in his "Hawke's Bay Selection" a paper-only team containing players Tangaroa considered the best he had played alongside during the two decades the four-time world champion pulled on the Bay colours.

Little was heard of Broadman on the softball diamonds around the country after he left the province in 2003 for stints in Auckland, Waikato and Australia.

For the past five years, battles on the diamonds have been replaced by battles for life as he has experienced two mild heart attacks and 17 strokes.

"It's been tough. I was left paralysed down my left hand side after my first two strokes but I'm gradually recovering," Broadman, 40, explained after training sessions on the leg press and rowing machine at the Hastings Fitness Centre last night.

"Initially the desire to leave hospital was my biggest motivation every time I was there lying on a hospital bed. I didn't want to rely on others doing basic every day chores like wiping my backside for me," Broadman recalled.

"My biggest challenge now is finding a job. I urge employers to see what disabled people like myself can do before judging us. Just give us a chance," Broadman pleaded.

"It's not surprising Hawke's Bay has such high suicide and unemployment rates. Don't shoot us down because we will give up, I know I'm not the only one in this situation and I want to help others who are."

A father of five and grandfather of two, Broadman, has extensive experience as a forklift driver and in warehousing.

The last job he had, a car groomer, ended two months ago.

"I've been back home in the Bay for four weeks and I'm here to stay. I'm Hawke's Bay born and raised ... there must be employers out there who support local people," Broadman said.

A former Hawke's Bay age group representative from under-16 level up, Broadman, is grateful for the support he has received from staff at the Hastings Fitness Centre.

Clocking up the metres on the rowing machine is his main form of rehab.

"When I first started back in Hamilton I was doing 1500 metres in 15 minutes. Now I'm doing 2000 metres in 10 minutes. My strength was always there particularly down my right hand side where everything is normal ... now I'm slowly getting my fitness levels back."

Broadman pointed out he has been planning a fundraiser gala to be staged near the new tower at Waimarama Beach.

"I was thinking about doing 40 days of continuous rowing. I need some money to pay some bills, the phone bill is the priority so I can keep applying for jobs.

"If I do get a job then I might downsize the fundraiser so I can fit it around my work but the funds raised can then go to others who cannot find work."

One of the programme co-ordinators at the Hastings Fitness Centre, Renee Nathan, said she has been impressed with Broadman's work ethic and desire to get more movement down his left hand side.

She added the gym's programmes for Green Prescription Card holders as well as those on IHC, Disability Resource Centre and obesity programmes who receive one-on-one training sessions for a discounted price have proved popular.

■ Anyone wanting to help Broadman with employment opportunities or his fundraiser can email him at lesangelbroadman@hotmail.com