Vale: Matt Callander

Producer Matt Callander, who oversaw the NRL Footy Show and Nine’s NRL coverage has died, aged 46.

He died following a battle with brain cancer, first diagnosed in 2016.

Callander was the man behind the Beanies for Brain Cancer round this year which raised almost $2 million, with all funds raised going towards the Mark Hughes Foundation. It also launched the Matt Callander Fellowship.

Nine’s sport director Tom Malone said, “Matt was a huge influence at Nine in both our NRL coverage and The Footy Show over the past two decades.

“He was loved by all for his quiet understated approach and his terrific way of dealing with producers, talent, production staff – everyone.

“Faced with a diagnosis most would find overwhelming, Matt chose to use his story to help others.

“The Beanie for Brain Cancer Round was the single biggest round of 2017 and helped raised millions of dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation and brain cancer research.

“He leaves a remarkable legacy.”

Today sports presenter Tim Gilbert said, “He’s a wonderful friend of mine, he’s got a beautiful wife and they’ve got four children.

“A beautiful guy who battled so hard the past … short term really, it hasn’t been that long.

“But he was a great driver in the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, millions of dollars raised there.

“I would like to urge everyone, it is one type of cancer that research is well behind unfortunately.

“If you can give, get behind it, love you all. God rest his soul. It’s really sad.”

Source: Wide World of Sports, Daily Telegraph