CURTIS JOHNSTON A BEAR FROM BIRTH

2nd December 2009 | by Jessica Clement | Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate | Full List of Articles

A RED-and-black jersey had already been picked out for Curtis Johnston upon his arrival into the world some 20 years ago.

And while that original strip no longer fits, the colours still look good emblazoned across this Berowra footballer’s chest.

“I’ve been a Bear since I first started with Norths reps in the under-14s and I’ve always dreamed of playing through to the top grade with them,” he told the Advocate this week.

Johnston, the only North Sydney junior to be part of the Bears’ NSW Cup squad, last week inked his signature to another two-year contract with the club.

With the Bears pushing for re-inclusion in the NRL for 2013, he said it’s an exciting time to be involved.

“Next season I’ll be fighting hard to keep my position in the Cup side, and try and get myself a contract for one of the NRL clubs,” the promising winger/centre said.

“But if my career can last that long, and the Bears can be part of the NRL comp in 2013, then it’d be a dream come true to play for Norths at that level.”

A heartbreaking one-point loss to Balmain that ended their season this year has left the Bears squad hungry for results in 2010.

“That was a tough loss but it gives us motivation,” Johnston said. And with a taxing pre-season having already begun, Johnston will need plenty of that motivation to tackle the Wanda Beach sand dunes over summer.