Heather Anderson’s tragic death: Tributes flow for former Adelaide Crows AFLW player

The father of Heather Anderson says he is awe of the outpouring of support from across the country while expressing his family’s sadness after the tragedy.

Heather Anderson (right) has passed away at the age of 28.

The father of former Adelaide AFLW premiership player Heather Anderson says the outpouring of grief from friends, teammates and fellow defence force colleagues shows how loved she was.

The 2017 Adelaide AFLW premiership player took her own life on Sunday in Perth.

She was 28-years-old.

Following the news of her tragic death former teammates and colleagues of Anderson - who was born in Canberra before moving to the Northern Territory - have spoken of their love of the former army medic.

Her father Brian told The Advertiser the “sadness in the family is palpable” following her death.

“The response to the news of Heather taking her own life have shown us that she had friends, teammates, and fellow soldiers all across the country,” he said.

Heather Anderson, an army medic, was the first player to be drafted by the Crows from the NT.

“Heather had a passion for the Army, football and learning and the Army gave her incredible opportunities; opportunities she found and pursued with incredible focus.

“(The) Army gave her the space to pursue AFLW and a career in equal measure. Army gave her the best medical and rehabilitation support we could imagine after the second shoulder dislocation in the inaugural AFLW grand final.

“With that support Heather was able to recover and then gain an elite level of fitness so as to then work supporting some of the elite units in the Army, and gain qualifications we could only dream of.

“And yet she found time to complete her degree in Paramedicine and undertake a degree in Psychology.

“We treasure the memories of her and her achievements , and are in awe of the outpouring of support from across Australia.”

Anderson, the first player to be drafted from the NT by the Crows, played eight games for them in 2017.

She dislocated her shoulder in the grand final win over Brisbane and didn’t play another game for the Crows.

But her bond with the Crows didn’t end there.

“She remained a really strong supporter of our team and a friend to everyone involved in the program,” Adelaide head of women’s football Phil Harper said.

“So much so she would still come to our games and was at this year’s Season Six grand final at Adelaide Oval in April.

“Obviously we are deeply saddened by the news of Heather’s passing and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends, and suffice to say it’s been a difficult and emotional time for many of us at the Adelaide Football Club.”

Anderson wore a distinctive pink head-guard, so her vision-impaired mother could spot her on the field.

Adelaide Crows footballer Heather Anderson has been given permission to wear a pink helmet during the football games.

She was also known for an incredible work ethic, which included her doing one armed push-ups a day after shoulder surgery, running up Canberra’s Mt Ainslie, which has an elevation of 843m, before training at the Belconnen Magpies and also deciding to run from one ACT border to another just to change up her routine.

Andrew Hodges, the assistant coach at Adelaide in 2017, said that was Anderson.

“The one thing that stood out with her was her work ethic and her ability to connect with teammates and bring the best out in everyone because of the standards she set and her work ethic,” he said.

Adelaide’s AFLW team will wear black armbands in the Crows’ preliminary final match against Brisbane on Friday night in memory of Anderson.

Crows captain Chelsea Randall posted on Instagram that Anderson was “the kindest human you would ever meet”.

An Australian Defence Force spokeswoman said Anderson’s death was a tragedy and was deeply felt by the Defence family and community.

WA authorities are investigating Anderson’s death.

Veteran Community page The Pineapple Express implored former and current personnel to reach out for support if they needed it.

Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 224 636

Defence All-hours Support Line: 1800 628 036

For veteran support contact:

• Defence All-hours Support Line: 1800 628 036

• Defence Member and Family Helpline staffed by social workers and psychologists: 1800 624 608

• For out-of-hours or away-from-base assistance: 1800 IMSICK (1800 467 425)

• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (formerly VVCS) provides free and confidential counselling and support for current and former serving ADF members and their families. They can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 011 046

Open Arms also has Safe Zone Support which can be accessed online or on 1800 142 072.

• The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA): 1800 838 372

Originally published as Heather Anderson’s tragic death: Tributes flow for former Adelaide Crows AFLW player