Tantanoola Football Club pay tribute to ‘infectious’ Bradley Yates after tragic death
A footy-loving young man who took his own life on the South Eastern Freeway might still be with us if the support he relied upon hadn’t been cut short, grieving teammates and family say.
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Local footy could have saved Bradley Yates’s life, but his season was cruelly delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Tantanoola Football Club in South Australia’s South East was like a second family to him.
But, after the COVID-19 pandemic halted the senior season earlier this year, Bradley, 19, moved away from Millicent to spend time with family in Murray Bridge.
Sadly, he died by suicide on Sunday August 23 after he was hit by a truck on the South Eastern Freeway.
Bradley’s sister Tahlia Yates made a brave pledge after his death, promising to raise awareness and “stand up” for men’s mental health.
During their last matches of the season over the weekend, junior players at the Tantanoola Football Club wore black armbands to honour his life.
His former coach and mentor, Scott Bowering, said Bradley was an “infectious” young man who was a joy to be around.
“I think football would have been one of the key things that would have kept him around the club and around the boys and something to look forward to,” he said.
“If footy was on this year, it might have been a different story.”
Members of the tight-knit Tant Tigers gathered at their clubrooms last Thursday to mourn together and reminisce on times spent with Bradley.
His family also attended the gathering, where they fondly held on to his #17 jumper.
“He will definitely be sorely missed by everyone at the club and all the players and teams that he’s played with over the years,” Mr Bowering said.
“I had the honour of coaching Bradley through the year we won the Grand Final in 2015. He was only a young fella playing Junior Colts.”
Bradley then climbed the ranks and into the Senior Colt team, winning a Grand Final by just one point five years ago.
“He was very excited to be part of that team – you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face,” Mr Bowering said.
“He made everyone feel welcomed and happy.”
Mr Bowering said some players are now participating in “Mullets for Mental Health”, organised by the Black Dog Institute, as he urges people to speak up if they are struggling.
“I’ve dealt with mental issues over the years and had my own dealings with losing mates through suicide as well.
“It’s not a massive town down here, so kids might feel a bit isolated or just don’t feel like talking.
“It’s good to raise awareness and try to get people to speak up before tragic things like this happen.”
gabriel.polychronis@news.com.au
