Newcastle Squash Veteran Defies Odds After Multiple Life-Threatening Ordeals
Newcastle squash player Anthony Hancock has proven himself a true survivor, overcoming a series of devastating health crises to return to the court he loves. The 58-year-old has faced near-drowning, permanent vision loss, and a prostate cancer diagnosis, yet his determination to keep playing has been a constant driving force.
A Cat With Nine Lives
Anthony Hancock jokes that he resembles "a cat with nine lives" after cheating death on multiple occasions. His remarkable journey of resilience began 27 years ago when he suffered a cardiac arrest while surfing at Flatrock near Newcastle Baths.
"I actually died on the beach," Hancock recalls. "When my mates brought me in, I was blue." His lungs had completely filled with salt water, but lifelong friend Andrew Fear rescued him from the surf. Remarkably, after extensive medical testing, doctors declared the incident a freak accident and gave him a clean bill of health.
Devastating Eye Injury Changes Everything
Seventeen years later, in 2016, Hancock faced another traumatic incident at the same surfing spot. His leg rope snapped, causing his board to spear directly into his right eye. Newcastle Baths lifeguard Paul "Rocky" Mellon rescued him from the water, but the damage was severe.
The injury resulted in 97 stitches, four detached retinas, and a 90 percent loss of vision in his right eye. Hancock spent six months in Sydney Eye Hospital and required long service leave from his job as a valuer and auctioneer at Valley Motor Auctions. The damage to his pupil means he now must wear sunglasses in any sunlight or bright light conditions.
"When you're in the sun, the light that comes in is horrendous," he explains. As Newcastle Squash president at the time, with four consecutive first-grade premierships to his name, the injury threatened to end his sporting career.
The Long Road Back to the Court
Recovering from the eye injury proved challenging for Hancock's coordination and depth perception. "After that it took me three to four years to get the ball anywhere near the strings again," he admits. "You don't realise how much it does affect you. As a golfer or any ball sport that has hand-and-eye coordination, when you have one eye instead of two, it's a big adjustment."
Despite nearly giving up the sport, Hancock persisted. "I'm not quite back to where I was, but I'm not far off," he says with characteristic determination.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Adds to Challenges
Just six months ago, Hancock received another devastating blow. Two weeks after proposing to his fiancée Amanda, a routine blood test revealed elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Further investigation uncovered 16 tumours in his prostate, leading to radical prostatectomy surgery at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital.
The surgery, performed with a da Vinci robotic surgical machine, required three months of recovery as Hancock dealt with side effects including retraining his bladder function. Throughout this difficult period, his goal remained clear: returning to competitive squash.
Triumphant Return to Competition
This past weekend marked a significant milestone as Hancock played his first tournament since his prostate surgery four months earlier. Competing in the Cardiff NSW Masters division one final, he faced 37-year-old Matthew Morten, ultimately losing in four sets.
For Hancock, simply returning to competition represented victory enough. "It's the friendships I've had for decades," he reflects. "I've played in first grade for 40 years and I can still play in the top division with one eye and being a prostate survivor, so I'm pretty proud of myself in that aspect."
Advocating for Men's Health Awareness
Hancock now uses his experiences to advocate for men's health, particularly encouraging regular PSA testing. Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among Australian men, with one in five expected to receive a diagnosis in their lifetime.
"I've put a lot on my social media about being a prostate cancer advocate and I've had so many people reach out since I was crook," Hancock shares. "It affects so many people, so all of my mates have gone and had PSA tests. The PSA test is the test that will save your life."
Through cardiac arrest, vision loss, and cancer, Anthony Hancock's story stands as a powerful testament to human resilience and the healing power of sport. His journey continues to inspire both fellow athletes and men facing health challenges across the Newcastle community and beyond.
