‘He ate, slept, and drank soccer’: Memorial to be held for keen Berwick soccer player Jeremias Sprague

A memorial will be held this week for a “cherished teammate” and all-round “wonderful” man who suffered a heart attack doing what he loved – playing soccer.

Berwick soccer player Jeremias Sprague died of a heart attack on December 15, 2023.

The captain of a southeast Melbourne soccer club whose goal was to play for Australia in the World Cup has been commemorated as a “cherished teammate and friend” who “lived and breathed” his favourite sport.

Jeremias Sprague, 20, died from a heart attack on December 15 while “on the pitch, doing what he loved”, in his father’s words.

‘Jem’ was a brother to four sisters and the captain of the 2023 Berwick City SC Reserves, based in Narre Warren North.

He started his soccer career with the Berwick Churches Soccer Club, eventually playing for the state side representing Victoria in Queensland.

Jem Sprague lived and breathed soccer.

Jem was also involved with the Casey Comets in Cranbourne, the Bayside Argonauts in Cheltenham, and the Langwarrin Soccer Club.

The ambitious young man spent a year in Spain honing his skills and went to tryouts in Thailand.

He even took up a carpentry apprenticeship to help pay for his passion.

Berwick Churches coach and Sprague family friend Randal Ward mentored Jem for five or six years.

“He was a wonderful kid,” he said.

“He ate, slept, and drank soccer.

“He had a very natural demeanour about him that drew people to him.

“He made it very easy for you to talk to him.”

Mr Ward said Jem’s dream, marked by the Aussie jersey hung on his wall, was to join the national squad for the next World Cup.

Berwick City SC wrote online that Jem was “not just a skilled player on the field but also a cherished teammate and friend to many.

“As we come to terms with this profound loss, let us remember the joy and camaraderie that Jem brought into our lives,” it said.

One commenter wrote: “Such a beautiful human being with an unrivalled passion and love for football.

“Devastated.”

An online fundraiser for Jem’s family had raised more than $6000 at the time of writing.

Organiser Glenys Downs said Jem “lived and breathed” soccer and was “fit as a fiddle”.

She described him as a faithful and family-oriented man.

A memorial will be held for him at Berwick Church of Christ about 2pm on Friday.