A community-wide memorial service will be held this weekend to celebrate the life of a suburban footballer who tragically sustained fatal head injuries after colliding with a concrete cricket pitch during a local match.
The victim, 27-year-old schoolteacher Nathan Fitzgerald, was critically injured during a Northern Football Netball League match at Lalor Recreation Reserve on Saturday. He passed away peacefully in hospital on Monday evening after receiving end-of-life care.
‘He Lived and Breathed Family’
On Tuesday, Mr Fitzgerald’s younger brother, Matthew, visited the local clubrooms to collect the mounting floral tributes left at the doors by grieving community members. Speaking on behalf of the family, Matthew said:
“It’s hard but we’ve got one another as a family and we are strong in our faith. God is our comfort. He was a gentle, wonderful soul. He cherished family — we all cherish family, but Nathan lived and breathed it.
There’d be moments when I was in the kitchen cooking, or in the gym, and he’d always ended the conversation with ‘I love you’. That’s who he was. Love your family, that’s what Nathan did. He was my older brother, he was my role model. He really paved the way for me. He made me a stronger man. He wanted everyone to succeed.”
Epping Football Netball Club president Luke De Vincentis (left) pays tribute to club footballer Nathan Fitzgerald, alongside the late player’s brother Matthew. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the highest levels of the sport, prompting an official statement from AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon:
“Nathan’s passing has deeply saddened everyone in the football community. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved him, and with the many people across local football who have been affected by this tragic loss.”
In a rare league-wide tribute, players from all 18 AFL clubs will wear black armbands as a mark of respect during this weekend’s premiership round.
A Community United in Grief
At the Epping Football Netball Club, where Mr Fitzgerald was a revered figure, plans are already underway to permanently retire his number 34 jersey. Club President Luke De Vincentis revealed that a GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $100,000 to assist the grieving family. Mr De Vincentis said:
“The love and support that has been shared not just throughout the Northern Football Netball League, not just throughout Victoria but across the entire country has been absolutely incredible. We all wear different colours on a game day … but when things like this happen, you remove your colours and you just become one big Aussie Rules family.
We know that money isn’t going to bring Nathan back and we know money isn’t going to bring the family happiness. But we know during this time that the family is going to be dealing with so many anxieties and stresses, that at least these donations can alleviate them of one of these particular stresses …and can ease any financial burdens that they may be facing in the foreseeable future. It’s an amazing act of gratitude by the entire country to get behind this, rally behind the Fitzgerald family and give big or small, and we hope the country continues to do so.”
Mernda Central College, where Nathan Fitzgerald was a teacher, described him as an “exceptional young man”. (Facebook: Mernda Central College)
Honouring a Dedicated Educator
Epping players and club officials are meeting tonight to decide whether they will take the field for their scheduled fixtures this weekend. However, Mr De Vincentis confirmed that a public memorial service will proceed regardless of their on-field decision:
“Obviously it’s still really raw. We’ve given the boys, the coaches, the medical staff a couple of days to think about how they’re feeling and what they feel is best for them this coming weekend. We’ll have an outcome later tonight about whether they choose to play or not this weekend. But whether there’s a game here or not, there will be some sort of tribute service here for Nathan — we just don’t know who that exactly looks at this point.”
Matthew Fitzgerald said his older brother was “a gentle, wonderful soul”, who cherished his family. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)
The loss is also being deeply felt at Mernda Central College, where Mr Fitzgerald was a highly respected staff member. The school released an online tribute stating:
“Nathan was an exceptional young man who brought warmth, energy, kindness and genuine care to every part of his life.”
Federal Labor MP Andrew Giles, whose electorate of Scullin encompasses the club, acknowledged the profound impact Mr Fitzgerald had both on and off the field:
“It will be a very challenging time for the community, the football club at Epping, the players and everyone at the Lalor football club too, and of course, all of the students and families whose lives Nathan touched as a teacher at Mernda Central College. His life was filled with so much promise but had already delivered so much in terms of giving to others.”
Luke De Vincentis has thanked the wider community for its support. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)
WorkSafe Victoria has confirmed it was notified of the incident on Saturday and has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the injury.
The City of Whittlesea, the municipal council responsible for the upkeep of the oval, stated that it strictly adheres to all standard safety regulations but would fully cooperate with further inquiries:
“We follow all safety regulations but we will support a safety review, if the pitch is found to have contributed to the injuries.”