Footy stolen from Ryan’s memorial

By Kelly Yates
MOSSGIEL Park Junior Football Club is shattered after a memorial football dedicated to a young player who died was stolen last week.
It was the third time thieves had targeted the Gleneagles Drive club in the past six months.
But it was the first time the memorial was targeted.
The thief smashed the Ryan Smith Memorial cabinet between 8pm Tuesday and 4.30pm Wednesday last week and stole the last football Ryan had played with before his death.
The memorial had been dedicated to the 14-year-old, who died from a brain tumour seven years ago, on 20 January 2001.
Once diagnosed with the tumour, Ryan underwent chemotherapy treatment but unfortunately it was unsuccessful and he died within six months.
Secretary of the Mossgiel Park Junior Football Club and close friend of the Smith family Ann Constance said the memorial was put in place for old members to remember Ryan and for new members to get to know him.
She said the Mossgiel Park Primary School boy was an avid sportsman with a natural talent for all sports.
The memorial was a large glass cabinet filled with a picture of Ryan, two trophies donated to the club by his parents and the last football he used which was signed by one of his heroes, St Kilda’s Robert Harvey.
Other items such as confectionary valued at $900 and brand new footballs and sporting equipment were also stolen from the Barry Reserve pavilion.
Ms Constance said the other items were replaceable but the football was a symbol of Ryan still being a part of the club.
“We just want the football back safely. Even if someone makes an anonymous call and leaves it somewhere. We just want it back,” she said.
Members of the club have also pitched in and donated a $500 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprit or the return of the ball.
The reward will be granted at the discretion of the club’s officials.
President of the Mossgiel Park Junior Football Club Phillip Arnold said Ryan’s family was distraught but despite the incident they still wanted to keep the memorial in the club room.
“His family want an alarm properly fitted in the club room,” Mr Arnold said.
“We did have one in the room but it was not operational.”
He said it was time the club room had better security.
Mr Arnold said the club was still in shock over the incident and everyone had a sour taste which was not a good start for the upcoming season.
“Ryan was a young man who was taken from the world at far too young an age,” he said.
“We are all disgusted that someone would desecrate the memorial.”
Senior Constable Marc Newton from Casey CIU said police were currently analysing fingerprints found at the crime scene.
“It is a lowly act for thieves to target a memorial,” Sen Const Newton said.
Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Sen Const Newton at Casey CIU on 9705 3111.