Coast residents to show support for Kawana Football Club’s Lachlan Wells Charity Cup match

The annual Lachlan Wells Charity Cup will be held next month in an effort to raise money for men's mental health and honour the life that was.

Lachlan "Lachy" Wells took his life in 2019 just after his Kawana Football Club div 4 team won their football grand final.

Three years on from the tragic death of a young coast footballer, the Kawana Football Club and a coast charity are honouring his life.

Kawana FC player Lachlan Wells sadly lost his battle with mental health at the age of 25 in 2018, just weeks after the side’s grand final win.

Charity organisation Grab Life by the Balls and Kawana FC are honouring Lachlan’s life through fundraising and an evening of first grade football against Caloundra FC.

Kawana FCs over 35s coach and former teammate Dean Jacobs said Lachy was a much-loved member of the club.

“He was the quiet unassuming boy with electric pace and childlike smile,” Mr Jacobs said.

“He loved his football and relished being part of our team within the Kawana culture.

Lachlan’s Aunty Kristine Hanna presenting the trophy at the 2019 Lachlan Wells charity match between Caloundra and Kawana.

The Lachlan Wells Charity Cup is an annual event and Jacob said he, like many, miss Lachy’s presence.

“He said very little on the field and his silence in the end proved telling,” he said.

“We miss the happy, easy going lad, the fella who was beyond excited to win the grand final in his final season.

“We will always think of you fondly Lachy, and it’s a privilege to call you our teammate, our friend.”

Kawana Football Club also initiated the Lachlan Wells Memorial Scholarship which is awarded to a Kawana junior player each year.

Grab Life by the Balls founder Sam Parker said it was for a good cause.

“We’re all about promoting the overwhelming positive benefits of mateship for men’s health and wellbeing,” he said.

“We are a local grassroots charity, founded here on the Sunshine Coast and we run laid-back activities for men across Australia as a great excuse for men to hang out with their mates or meet some new mates.”

The event will include prizes and raffles from businesses to raise money for Grab Life by the Balls.

The Lachlan Wells Charity Cup will take place on Saturday June 5 at 6pm at Kawana Western Fields with the first match between the Premier Reserve men and Caloundra FC at 4pm.

If you or anyone you know needs help or support please phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Coast residents to show support for Kawana Football Club’s Lachlan Wells Charity Cup match