Waitakere lose ‘great club man’
On his way to fund raise for his sons football team, a man has died after being fatally hit by a car in Avondale last week.
Craig Trickett, 41, was helping set up a stall to raise money for his son’s 15th grade football team’s upcoming trip at the Avondale flea market when he was struck by a vehicle on Ash St. He was taken to hospital where he later died that day.
The father of two had been involved with the Waitakere City football club since he was 12-years-old and coached his son Kyran’s team.
‘‘It has just been a real shock and not something you can ever prepare for,’’ says club community football manager David Johnson.
‘‘Obviously it is a really tough time for the family and we are trying to support them in any way we can. The funeral service was done really well by the family and close friends. Kyran goes to Waitakere College and the school’s kapa haka group closed the ceremony which was nice.’’
Following the service, family and friends gathered at the club rooms to watch their top side take on Oratia and pay their respects to a man Johnson described as ‘‘a great club man’’.
‘‘The teams held a moment of silence and invited Kyran and the 15th grade boys onto the field to join them which was really nice,’’ Johnson says.
‘‘Some of the top grade boys didn’t know Craig or the Trickett family personally, but they knew how much he meant to the club so it was really well done on their part. He was close to a lot of people here and just a great mate all round.’’
The tragic accident was unfortunately witnessed by some members of the 15th grade squad and Johnson says the club are working to help them through the difficult time.
Kyran and the team will run out this Sunday for their first game since the accident without their ‘‘enigmatic coach’’.
Johnson says the club’s thoughts went out to Trickett’s long time partner, Amanda, son Kyran, daughter Brittany and parents John and Susan. A family friend has set up a give a little page to assist the family in the future and donations can be made via the website.
‘‘We want to acknowledge the support and sympathy received from local clubs and the Auckland football community. It has been greatly appreciated by the family and club,’’ Johnson says.