Vale Lou Tompkins.
Touch Football as a whole and SQBD in particular mourn the loss of our dear friend Lou Tompkins.
A tremendous legacy has been built through his selfless service to the Touch football community.
These are some of his astonishing contributions to Touch Football:
5 years as TFA National Referees Director. (2005-2010)
Over 26 years on National Referees Panel.
26+ years on FIT Referees Panel.
17 years of service to the NSWTA Referees Panel.
16+ years serving the QLD Referees Coaching Panel.
10 years as South Qld Sharks Regional Referee Director.
Lou was qualified as a:
Level 5 Referee.
Level 4 Referee Course Presenter.
Level 4 Referee Coach.
Level 1 Touch Coach.
He has been duly awarded:
Life Membership Touch Football Australia. (2014)
Australian Sports Medal. (2000)
QLD Touch Football-Referee Volunteer of The Year. (2014)
NSW Touch Football- Blues Award. (1999)
Life Membership South Queensland Border Districts Touch Football (2018)
Lou became involved in Touch in the early 70’s and his last social media post was right on the money with regards to Rugby League showing his knowledge and expertise on how sport should be run!
His record of service is surpassed by the quality of his character. Only a few weeks ago I spoke to him about Touch directly as we discussed his wellbeing and all things in general. I personally valued Lou’s referee coaching, and benefitted from his insights into the directions the sport should take. But today, reflecting on this stellar record of service, I really value the discussions we had about his love for his family, the thrill he got from spending time with his grandchildren and the dignified way he fought an astounding 20 year battle with cancer. We worried we might lose Lou at the end of 2018 and here we are, almost 18 months later, amazed at his accomplishments in defying the odds. Resilient and resourceful, persistent and determined. Well done Lou!
We are not surprised to already read online of the admiration and gratitude many of those that Lou personally worked with, mentored and coached, have for him.
We hope that your family finds some comfort in the knowledge of how highly we regard you.
Thank you Lou Tompkins, for your wonderful contribution to our sport of Touch Football.
Yours is a legacy we want to carry forward.
Mathew Gilbertson,
On behalf of South Queensland Touch Football.
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