Roos in mourning

BALRANALD Football Netball Club is paying its respects to 2009 premiership coach Karl Jacka after he lost his battle with cancer.

The 35-year-old passed away at the weekend.

Former teammates and players have flooded his social media accounts with photos and tributes to the father of one, remembering him for his dedication to both football and cricket in the Balranald community.

BFNC secretary Jeff Mannix said Karl was one of the most loved and respected people in the region’s sporting landscape.

“He was away for a while before him and his wife, Cristy, moved back to Balranald. He was straight into the football and the cricket,” Mr Mannix said.

“We didn’t have a cricket club at the time and he got the club back in. He was right into the community and sport. He was our coach in 2009 when we won the premiership and that group was very close.

“He was a posititive man and he always found the positives in life, even with the cancer at times.

“He formed a Relay for Life team here and in Albury and raised a lot of money,” Mr Mannix said.

“The club will remember and recognise him… we were saddened to hear of his passing, a life cut too short. The town will miss him but he has left a legacy here.”

Friends of Karl were putting football jumpers outside their homes in honour of their late friend, using the hashtag #jumpersoutforjacka on social media.

“Karl Jacka my heart goes out to your family. You were a true legend so glad to have called you a mate, you had the ugliest head but best smile in country footy, lit up the world. RIP mate (sic),” one user wrote.

While another wrote “A man who was a legend on and off the field. Wasn’t just a hard, determined senior player and coach but a great under 17s coach in Balranald. Will be sadly missed by a massive football community that extends a lot further than BFNC. RIP Karl Jacka.”