Harry McCormick (right) was supported in his senior debut by Mathoura Football Club's 2019 seniors coach, Darcy Robinson.
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A new tradition in honour of a lost Timbercutter will be forged this weekend when Mathoura comes up against Tocumwal.
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The two senior sides will play for the inaugural Harry McCormick Memorial Cup at the Mathoura Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Harry was an active thirds and reserves player when he died in a car crash aged just 16.
He had not long made his debut in the senior side for his beloved Timbercutters.
With this year marking five years since Harry’s death, his father, Tony McCormick, said the family wanted to pay tribute in a meaningful way.
“It’s about honouring Harry, but also about raising awareness of the vulnerability of kids and vehicle safety,” Tony said.
“We’re asking players to wear green armbands on the day, which was Harry’s favourite colour.
“Harry loved his footy. He was just 15 when he made his debut for the seniors.
‘‘The grin on his face when he played his first senior game will forever be etched in my mind. We were so proud.
“We wanted to honour that.”
Tony said he received encouraging support from Timbercutters president Blake Keech and the committee, as well as Tocumwal captain Jack Tyndall, president Mick Haynes and the Bloods’ committee.
Keech said it seems like a fitting tribute for Harry, whom he coached in the under-14s.
“Harry was one of those ultimate club kids, and there’s not too many of them around these days,” he said.
“He would help out wherever he could — in the canteen, on the boundary, running water.
Harry McCormick.
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“He was a chip off the old block, really because his dad, Tony, and mum, Lori, are much the same. What was required of a good club person was embedded in him because of them.
“He loved his footy and he loved his club, and he’d often double up and play two games.
“From a young age, he just wanted to be involved.”
Keech said when Tony approached him about the memorial match, it was an easy ‘yes’.
“We’re a community club that wants to help out and honour our people,” Keech said.
“We already have an award in Harry’s name to recognise a junior player each year.
“He certainly meant a lot to us at the club, and we were all rocked by his death, so hopefully we can make this memorial match annual and build on it for future years.
“Harry made his senior debut for Mathoura in a game against Tocumwal, at Tocumwal, so we’re connected in this.”
The Cutters and The Bloods will both be keen to get the four points from the cup clash.
Both have had a tough start to the season.
Tocumwal initially lost four in a row, but won its past two matches heading into last weekend’s league-wide bye.
The Bloods won those two fixtures by 167 and 206 points respectively, showing they’re a very capable attacking team that is coming into form.
Host Mathoura is yet to get a win on the board in the senior football this season, but has shown improvement, with closer margins compared to the corresponding fixtures from last season.
It’ll likely be a difficult task for the Cutters against Tocumwal, but they will have something larger to play for in the Harry McCormick Memorial Cup clash.
