Hundreds turn out for memorial for cherished Berwick soccer player Jeremias Sprague
A sea of football jerseys packed out a Berwick church to remember a beloved young soccer player who tragically died while on the field.
South East
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Hundreds of people wearing soccer jerseys' turned out to celebrate the life of a widely loved Berwick soccer player just one week after he died on the field.
Jeremias Sprague, 20, died from a heart attack while on the soccer field on December 15.
On Friday, a sea of people attended the memorial service held for Jem at the Berwick Church of Christ, demonstrating his impact on his community.
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.
Randal Ward was Jem’s coach at the Berwick Churches Soccer Club and spoke at the memorial service, remembering the young adult as “hardworking and passionate”.
“He inspired the rest of the team to do better,” he said.
“I don’t think there was a kid on my team who had the passion and determination that Jem had.”
Mr Ward said everybody who met Jem knew his passion for soccer.
“His passion encouraged others to do better,” he said.
“He was a respectable young man who always looked out for others and he will always have a special place in my heart.”
Jem was involved with the Casey Comets in Cranbourne, the Bayside Argonauts in Cheltenham, and the Langwarrin Soccer Club.
Just over a year ago Jem had began a carpentry apprenticeship, where his boss Joe said Jem roped people in.
“Jem had this smile of friendship and love, he just soaked you in,” he said.
“He had an affection for people that grew on you all the time. He was a fantastic young man, and he will be sadly missed.”
Jem was also involved with the Casey Comets in Cranbourne, the Bayside Argonauts in Cheltenham, and the Langwarrin Soccer Club.
An online fundraiser for Jem’s family had raised more than $14,500 at the time of writing.
