Deloraine Football Club to play in memory of Maxi

On Saturday the entire club will don special guernseys to ensure Isaac “Maxi” Walter’s name, and passion for sport, continues. The club will take on Longford. 

Club president Shaun Donohue said their opponents did not have to think twice when he approached them to take part in the Make Runs Maxi game. 

“The Longford president, Archie Blair, was fully supportive of putting this game on because Isaac also played some of his junior games with Longford,” Mr Donohue said. 

“Isaac would have turned 18 just last Friday. So it’s a game in his memory. He was very well known and loved by everyone at the club.”

The game came about through former Deloraine player and Isaac’s former coach Rulla Kelly-Mansell, who has since started a foundation in his name. 

He first came across Isaac when he was coaching the under 19s at the club. It was Isaac’s uncle who inspired Mr Kelly-Mansell’s love of the game. 

“I always had a bit of a soft spot for Maxi because of that, that to go along with his fearless approach to the ball, and his want to become a better player made Maxi a person [and] player you wanted to work with because you knew he valued what you would tell him,” Mr Kelly-Mansell said.

Mr Donohue said the importance of club’s being a safe place for people to come to when they’ve having a tough time should not be underestimated. 

“If anyone is feeling down there is always someone to talk to whether it’s a mate or something like lifeline… clubs should be a safe place,” he said.  

The club has held annual fundraising matches for five years, and has raised more than $20,000 in total.

This year, it hopes to raise $5000, in Maxi’s memory. 

“Yes, we have raised this money. But more importantly we have continued to raise awareness about mental heath,” Mr Donohue said. 

A raffle and auction will be held throughout the day.