kUAN'S STORY
In August 2022, the Wollongong Mustangs lost one of our own, Kuan Brown. A humble, dedicated and determined young player who passed unexpectedly after a short illness, leaving us devastated. A talented all-round sportsman it was Gridiron that stole his heart.
In memory of Kuan, the Mustangs continue to honour his legacy through various initiatives that reflect his values, spirit and passion for the game and his team mates.
We have renamed the Colts Division Offensive Most Improved Player Award in Kuan’s name. Kuan’s family sponsor the Colts Division Player’s Player Award.
The No. 1 jersey which he wore, is now awarded each season to a player who has earned the right to wear it.
The Kuan Brown Memorial Shield is played between the two clubs Kuan belonged to – the Mustang Brumbies and the UTS Gator Colts.
These efforts are a testament to Kuan's character as player and team mate. His energy and positivity were infectious, and his dedication unmatched. He always had a smile on his face when he was at the field, and he encouraged and supported everyone- players and coaches alike to be their best.
He had an unwavering belief that everyone should have the opportunity to play the game they loved. He once came home from training and asked his parents to help
cover another player's registration fees, because the player could not afford to pay them and was at risk of having to leave the team. While the club stepped in to assist, Kuan’s desire to support his team mate was evident in this gesture. In the first season after passing, Kuan’s family donated Kuan’s savings to help sponsor the
registration fees for three Colts players, continuing his legacy of making sure no player would be excluded due to financial challenges. The following year they
sponsored the kit hire for the Colts, in Kuan’s honour. Kuan's family continue to support the Mustang Brumbies in their own small ways.
THE KUAN BROWN MEMORIAL SHIELD
Kuan trained with the Mustangs in 2019 when he was just 15 and went on to play asQuarterback for the Colts team in 2020. He then joined the UTS Gators for the 2021and 2022 seasons, when the Mustangs were unable to field a Colts team, but hecontinued to train with them and maintained close friendships with many of theMustangs family.When he passed away, his two clubs introduced the Kuan Brown Memorial Shield.This is played between the Mustangs Brumbies and the UTS Gators Colts teamsevery time they meet each other each season, in memory of their teammate.Mustangs Brumbies were the proud winners for the 2024 season.
THE kUAN BROWN MEMORIAL JERSEY
The Kuan Brown Memorial Jersey Award is a new tradition the club started when we had the heartbreaking news of Kuan’s passing. We lost him suddenly and without warning, leaving a hole in many of our hearts. We retired Kuan’s # 1 jersey, for the colts team for the 2022 season. After that, in consultation with his parents we cameto the decision that the best way to let Kuan’s memory live on would be by allowing other Colts to continue to wear the number #1 jersey.
The Mustang Brumbies #1 jersey is not chosen by a player as other numbers are - it is earned. Any player on the Brumbies team has the opportunity to earn it. Coaches and Team Managers look for the player who leads, who puts in the extra effort, who goes above and beyond, who encourages his team, and who lives for the spirit of our game. It is a jersey for players to strive for and to wear with pride for the season. This player shows the dedication, determination and commitment to the game and his team mates, that Kuan did.
THE KUAN BROWN MEMORIAL AWARDS
The Mustangs honour Kuan’s legacy through two different awards that are presented to players who reflect his values and spirit, as well as his dedication to growing as a player. The Colts Division Offensive Most Improved Player Award has been renamed in Kuan’s memory. This being the award he proudly won in his rookie season as the Brumbies Quarterback in 2020. It is awarded to the player who continuously strives to improve themselves throughout the season Additionally, the Colts Division Player’s Player Award is presented in Kuan’s honour. This award is voted for by the Colt’s players themselves. Being nominated and voted for by your peers to be the best on ground is a huge honour in our club. We believethat this is the player who best reflects the values and passion that Kuan believed tobe so important. Kuan’s family sponsor this award each year in Kuan’s memory, bypaying for the award recipient’s registration fees for the next season.