Kids’ footy coach renowned for generosity gives gift of life

Tributes flow for premiership-winning Newport Power Junior Football Club coach Sean Adams after tragic accident.

A local footy coach who devoted his life to his community has been remembered for his “enormous heart” after a final act of generosity following a freak accident.

Sean Adams fell down a flight of stairs and sustained severe brain trauma on the King’s Birthday weekend while in Sydney to visit family.

The 52-year-old Altona father of three died in hospital two days later.

But in a supreme act of generosity, six of Mr Adams’ organs – both kidneys and all four heart valves – were donated to save six lives.

His partner, Kaz Moran, said being an organ donor was yet another example of Mr Adams’ “enormous and generous heart”.

“We are just so proud that he could be an organ donor,” she said.

“He was a beautiful father who always found a way to fill our home with laughter every single day and we are going to miss him.”

Cameron, 14, and Maggie, 9, whose father Sean Adams, died after a tragic accident. (Georgia, 16, is not pictured.) Mr Adams was a coach at Newport Power Junior Football Club, which has rallied behind the family. Picture: Mark Stewart

His death has shattered the Newport Power Junior Football Club, where “Seano” was a revered figure and won the Under 14s premiership last year after an undefeated season.

“He loved his boys like no other and they loved him back,” the club’s head of football operations, Phil Stuart, said.

“We’ve never had a more popular coach.”

Mr Adams had volunteered for 10 years since son Cameron, 14, started in Auskick, when he fashioned goals out of pipes for the club’s littlest footballers, which are still in use today.

“He’s just so loved and he was so giving to everyone,” Mr Stuart said.

“If kids didn’t have a uniform, Sean would buy them uniforms on the quiet. He’d take three or four kids home from training or to games because their parents couldn’t or wouldn’t.

“He would do anything for the kids and they would do anything for him.”

Sean Adams in a self-designed outfit in Newport Power colours celebrating after coaching the Under 14s team to a premiership win in 2023.

Sean Adams with son Cameron after the 2023 Under 14s premiership win with Newport Power Junior Football Club.

Mr Adams’ eldest daughter, Georgia, 16, said her dad was happiest when the people he was around and the people he loved were happy.

“He wanted to make sure everyone could reach their full potential and he could see how great they could be before they could see it themself,” she said.

“Dad took pride in the football team he coached. Those boys were more than just players to him; he loved each and every single one individually.

“I know nothing about football but after every game Dad would come and sit in my room and tell me all about how good each of the boys did and you could see in his eyes he was swelling with pride.

Sean Adams with his children (L-R) Cameron Adams, Maggie Moran and Georgia Adams and his dog Bongo. Picture: Supplied

“Watching those boys grow into young men and enhancing their natural talent so they become even more incredible athletes has got to be one of the proudest achievements in his life.

“I will miss Dad forever but I know every time I step on court he’s yelling down telling me to work harder and I will continue to work hard for the rest of my life to make him proud.”

Cameron said his dad would not hesitate to help someone even if it would affect him.

“I am so glad that he was able to become an organ donor and continue to help people even after he passed,” Cameron said.

“He made friends with everyone he came across and impacted everyone hugely.”

Coach Sean Adams and players at Newport Power Junior Football Club.

Toni Thornton, who is Mr Adams’ former partner and the mother of Cameron and Georgia, believes he would feel “fantastic” that his organs were able to be donated.

“That’s why he was a donor and that’s who he was – giving right till the end,” she said.

“Everybody knew if they needed anything they could call on Seano.”

Mr Adams, a builder, once ran a renovation company with popular TV personality Keith Schleiger, the foreman from The Block.

Coach Sean Adams with the Under 14s premiership cup.

One of the 600 bands made to honour Sean Adams’ memory, on a front fence in Newport.

Mr Adams was still playing footy, clocking up 97 games for the Williamstown Superules club.

He also volunteered as an umpire at Williamstown CYMS Football Club and was an active surf boat rower and volunteer lifeguard at Williamstown Swimming & Life Saving Club.

Sean Adams’ Newport Power coach's bib, old Manly Wolves jumper and Williamstown Superules jumper at a Newport Power match after his tragic accident.

As well as being a father to Georgia and Cameron, Mr Adams was a father figure to Ms Moran’s daughter, Maggie, 9, for the past six years.

Maggie said, “Sean was the best dad ever and we made so many memories.”

Mr Adams is also survived by his parents and three brothers in NSW.

Sean Adams celebrating the 2023 Under 14s premiership win with Newport Power.

After giving so much to his local community, the community has rallied around Mr Adams’ family, donating more than $57,000 to a GoFundMe fundraiser.

Players in Mr Adams’ Under 16s team shared touching tributes, with many calling him the best coach they have had.

Luke Vasiliadis said, “Seany wasn’t just a footy coach, he was an absolute legend”.

“When my dad passed away in 2021, he helped me, he helped my mum, he was always there for us,” he said.

“I love him so much.

“Seany was the best coach I’ve ever, ever had in my entire career.”

In memory of Sean Adams at Newport Power’s home ground, Bryan Martyn Oval.

Thomas Fahy said: “The time I’ve had with him has been some of the best times of my life and it is so sad to see him go.

Teammate James Vartuli said: “He will be missed in all of our hearts. He always brings positivity to our group and got the best out of all of us.”

Mark Sanders said, “He was the best coach and role model I could have ever had.”

Ben Irvine added: “Sean has been there for me for years and we are all so lucky to have him in our lives. The time we have had with him truly has been a blessing.”

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