State funeral for Australian Football League great as well as former politician, Maurice Rioli will be held in Darwin, Northern Territory of Australia on Friday.
The 53-year-old, who played 118 games for Richmond in the 1980s and later served in the Northern Territory Parliament for nine years, died from a heart attack on Christmas Day.
Rioli was the first Aboriginal player to win the Norm Smith medal.
Hundreds of people, including several high-profile footballing identities, are expected to gather at St Mary's Cathedral on Smith Street in Darwin on Friday to say goodbye to a man who "gave everything to the game".
"The death of such a well-liked sporting hero shocked and saddened us all," the Northern Territory News wrote on Friday.
"His early death should act as a symbol for all that is wrong in Aboriginal society and inspire governments and health services to close the yawning gap (in life expectancy) dividing (indigenous and non-indigenous) Australians."
Meanwhile, Tiwi Bombers Football Club chief executive Alan McGill said Rioli was an incredibly influential personality.
"There's no question that over Maurice's football career he was one of the leading players in the whole of Australia when he was competing in Melbourne," he told ABC News on Friday.
"I think that's really fitting that contribution plus his other contributions to the local community are being recognized by way of a state funeral."
A wake will be held at St Mary's Football Club following the funeral on Friday and a traditional Aboriginal burial will take place on Melville Island, north of Darwin, on Monday.
A Maurice Rioli memorial trophy is expected to be installed when the Tiwi Bombers play Waratahs on Sunday at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
【体坛英语资讯:Hundreds expected at Australian football player Maurice Riolis state funeral】相关文章:
★ 体坛英语资讯:Switzerland beat Hungary 3-2 in World Cup qualifier
★ 体坛英语资讯:Champion stunned but China unbeaten at Magdeburg World Cup
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Lindsay Lohan mug shot launches drunk driving ad
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Victoria Beckhams sweet surprise for husband David
★ 体坛英语资讯:Host China need consistency to face Russia at FIVB Grand Prix Finals
★ 体坛英语资讯:Chelsea boss Mourinho leaves club
★ 体坛英语资讯:China win 3-2 over Denmark
★ 体坛资讯:Federer into French Open final as Davydenko nerve fails
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Lindsay Lohan receiving flirty text messages
★ 体坛英语资讯:Former Yankee Leyritz arrested after car death
最新
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15