Memorial tournament raises thousands for cancer

There was a sense of camaraderie over the weekend as FC Nelson hosted a memorial tournament for Callum Strachan.

With 12 teams in action, including one from Christchurch that Callum’s brother and brother-in-law organised, organiser Nicole Cooley says the decision to host the tournament came shortly after he passed in April of last year.

While the tournament was more about getting together and having fun than a serious tournament, with games having 25-minute halves, she says the turnout highlighted the man Callum was and the impact he had on the local footballing community.

“There’s friends, family and teammates, people he played with and against and even the referees who he interacted with. . . it’s great to see all the different players and different clubs.

“He was part of the Locomotive identity and on the Nelson Football committee as treasurer.”

Former Locos teammate Andy Weaver says Callum wouldn’t have said a lot about everyone coming together because that was the man he was.

“He was quite a quiet man of quiet humour, but he would have probably sassed us about our results (today). It’s a real testament of who Callum was that there’s so many teams here. Everyone loved Callum.”

Andy Weaver, who also played for the Locos alongside Callum, says the tournament was as much about being together with friends as it was about being competitive out on the field.

The team jerseys had ‘CS3’ embroidered on the collar, a nod to Callum’s playing number, which was ceremonially retired after he was diagnosed with cancer and had to step away from the game for treatment.

Andy says Callum had returned to play for the team for half a season after that treatment, which was “inspirational” to see.

“Callum played in the number three and we’re honouring his legacy with Loco, surrounded by his mates.

“Some of these guys haven’t played in six or seven years, but they came out just to be a part of it.”

The weekend also raised thousands of dollars for the Cancer Society, with 90 per cent of the team’s entry fees donated alongside Two Thumb Brewery putting the special ‘FC Nelson’ brew on tap and donating $1 from every sale. A sausage sizzle was also held and donation buckets were on offer. Night n Day St. Oak took out the competitive grade, while Motueka took out the social grade.