The legacy of Lachie Poulter will forever live on in the hearts and minds of those who loved him and in a charity fund set up in his honour.
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The Poulter family created Lachie’s Legacy to ensure all children have the skills, uniforms and equipment they need to enjoy football, the game Lachie loved so much.
The 25-year-old died suddenly after collapsing on the sidelines at the end of a football game in Learmonth in July.
His death had ripple effects through the local and wider football communities.
Players who were opponents on the field, rival spectators and everyone in between banded together to honour Lachie’s memory.
His family wanted purpose for this support, to create a legacy that encapsulates Lachie’s love for the game.
“Lachie had the biggest heart, he loved absolutely everyone and footy was his passion,” Lachie’s mother Nola Poulter said.
“We wanted to give back because people had given so much love and comfort to us, we just wanted to give it back somehow.”
From an idea raised in the week after Lachie’s death, Lachie’s Legacy has snowballed to a fund that has now raised more than $25,000.
The money will be used to provide equipment, facilitate development of the game within rural areas through workshops for coaches, player training sessions and mentoring, and offer experiences to players and coaches to build mateship.
The game wasn’t just Saturday. People just think it is a game but it is more than that, it is family.
- Nola Poulter
The fund’s aim is to allow every child, despite any financial, demographic or social factors, access to football.
“He just loved footy and loved what came with footy – the mateship and just being part of the communities,” Lachie’s father Steve Poulter said.
“The game wasn’t just Saturday. People just think it is a game but it is more than that, it is family,” Mrs Poulter said.
Dunnstown Football Club too has shown its support.
President Shane Murphy said members had created a memorial corner in the club rooms and were working to create a memorial round in next year’s football season, with hopes round 15 will be played against Learmonth at Learmonth in Lachie’s honour.
The Poulter family, with the help of friends and the football community, will work to set up a website for the fund.
Lachie’s Legacy’s first fundraising event will be held on Sunday at Freight Bar. One of Lachie’s mates will shave off dreadlocks he had grown for 10 years if enough money is raised.
Brother Tom Poulter will play in Lachie’s place at the NAIDOC Football and Netball Carnival in Ballarat in October.
More fundraising events are in planning, with a possible trivia night in summer.
The support behind Lachie’s Legacy is testament to love for Lachie – the tall bloke who had a big heart and a smile from ear to ear.
Lachie left a message to us all, to live, laugh and love – the motto of his legacy fund.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
