Bulls release L'Estrange

Australian hooker Heath L'Estrange wants to return home
11 November 2013

Bradford have agreed to release Australian hooker Heath L'Estrange on compassionate grounds.

L'Estrange, 28, who has spent the last four years with the Bulls and had another 12 months left on his contract, recently became a father for the first time and wants to bring his daughter up in Australia.

"I would like to thank Bradford Bulls for allowing me to be released from my contract," he said.

"Me and my wife, Jessica, have recently celebrated the birth of Grace, our first child, back home in Australia.

"And we have come to the extremely difficult decision of leaving behind my professional career as a Bradford player, in Super League.

"I have had an absolutely amazing time with the Bulls and I have played alongside some fantastic players.

"I have made life-long friends and I was honoured to be named captain before the 2012 season.

"But I am part of a very close-knit family and we wish to bring up our daughter in Australia, around those closest to us."

Bradford coach Francis Cummins said: "Heath has been a great servant and a fantastic ambassador for the club.

"I am disappointed that he won't be returning to the UK, but Heath has had to make a decision on the future of the most important team in his life and that is Team L'Estrange.

"I am a family man, I have children of my own, and they have to come before sporting careers. Heath has to do the best by his wife and new baby.

"We certainly did not want to lose him, he is a hugely-influential figure in our team, but I fully understand his decision to stay in Australia."

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