I have only had the pleasure of coaching the team and Tara for the past few weeks. However, in that time I knew that she would be one of the girls upon which the team would be built for the season. Quiet, but very determined and skilful, Tara played wonderfully well in the team’s win on Saturday. Her last words to me were that she would volunteer for goalie in the first half the following week, as no one else wanted to do it and she would be tired after her weeks camp and starting her part time job at a vets that morning.

Tara’s mum Catherine was also our team manager. The hearts and thanks of all the girls and parents of the team go out to Catherine at this terrible time.

We shall all miss Tara. We shall miss her smile and happiness, her skill and her energy. Every time the team steps on the pitch in the future they shall do so with a thought for their lost friend. They will be playing for her.

The team plans to visit Elim College Chapel on Saturday morning to pay their respects and to say their goodbyes at the time they would all have been playing together.

As a tribute to Tara, the Ellerslie Men’s first team will wear black armbands at their Saturday game. It is my team’s wish, supported by the club, that as many teams as possible who would like to pay their respects, similarly play with black armbands on Saturday.

Tara loved soccer and she loved playing for Ellerslie. She played her heart out. No one who met or played with Tara will ever forget her.

Alan Goodwin
Coach 17th Grade Girls Black.