WFNL club Laverton Magpies remember Ryan Dickson

A local football netball club in Melbourne’s west has paused to remember a man who was “more than just a footballer” after his sudden death on the weekend.

Ryan Dickson has been mourned after his sudden death.

Ryan Dickson has been remembered as a man who went above and beyond for his club.

The Laverton Football Netball Club, which competes in the Western Football Netball League, is mourning the loss of the beloved clubman after his sudden death in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Stories of Dickson’s commitment to the black and white have poured in for the impact he had on and off the field during his time with the Magpies.

This year, he was consistently driving down from Ballarat to play in the club’s Thirds team on either a Friday night or Saturday.

Dickson was also the “driving force” behind the introduction of netball to the club in recent years.

“Ryan was a mate to all — a friend you could always rely on for a smile, a helping hand, or an encouraging word,” Laverton said in a social media post.

“His impact on our club and our community will never be forgotten. Ryan was far more than just a current footballer to us.

“He was a champion person with the kindest of souls — the type of person every club hopes to have.

“His care for others and his passion for community extended well beyond the football field. Every time a netball player steps onto the court in Magpie colours, they are continuing the legacy Ryan helped build.”

Laverton has confirmed it will introduce a netball award in memory of Dickson “ensuring his contribution and spirit are remembered for generations to come”.

On Saturday, the Magpies stood arm-in-arm with Tarneit before their Division 2 clash to pause to remember Dickson.

They ran out 120-point winners in the senior game while the reserves ran out 89-point victors.

A GoFundMe has been started to help raise money for Dickson’s funeral, you can donate here.