Achi news desk-
Harry Stead would have played his first year as a senior at the UWA club on Saturday.
There was a minute of silence for a partner who should have been on the field next to his team.
It was the 20-year-old’s fourth year playing with the UWA Football Club, but instead, they held a round in his memory.
Stead’s best friend Charlie Carrington-Jones said the tour in honor of his partner was lighthearted.
“[For] Someone like Harry, it had to be done because he was just such a great person in this community and so many people loved him so much, including myself,” Carrington-Jones told 9News.
Harry died a hero’s death on Boxing Day last year while volunteering to fight a fire on a neighbour’s property near Esperance in the Great South.
“Having a kid around the age of 19, 20 just put his hand up to help without even asking holds a lot of weight with me,” UWA Soccer Club President Jake Colvin told 9News.
His friends today remember him as someone who is committed to the community and generous in a fault.
“Selfless, very generous. He was the most perfect friend in every possible way,” Carrington-Jones said.
His absence on the field was felt by his teammates.
“[Harry was] Not the tallest, not the biggest but he was lightning fast and never gave up at any point in any game,” Carrington-Jones said.
“Always happy to be there, played with a smile on his face all the time.”
Sam West agreed, saying Steed brought “so much energy and so much passion” to the game.
“Whatever class he played in, he was very popular, made friends and the team was definitely better off having him,” Colvin said.
The club is rallying to give back to the man who gave them so much.
“We are always here for the Stead family in whatever they need and we just hope they know they have the full support of everyone at UWA Football Club,” Charlie said.
