A sculpture crafted in memory of the late Dylan Tombides has been unveiled by his family in the striker's home city of Perth
A bronze sculpture crafted in honour of the late Dylan Tombides has been unveiled in the West Ham United youngster’s home city of Perth, Western Australia.
The striker, who passed away at the age of 20 following a brave three-year battle with cancer in April 2014, has been immortalised by Perth artist Robert Hitchcock.
The sculpture depicts Dylan holding up his shinguard at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, where he was diagnosed with testicular cancer after undergoing a random drug test, to wish ‘Happy birthday Mum X’ to his mother Tracy, who joined Dylan’s father Jim, brother Taylor and Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett at the unveiling at the nib Stadium.
Dylan, who fought courageously against the disease which ultimately took his life and bravely made his first-team debut for West Ham while undergoing chemotherapy in August 2012, made a huge impact during his time as a Hammer.
The outstanding forward, who started his career in Perth with Wembley Downs Soccer Club and Stirling Lions, was blessed with a character to match. The No38 will never be forgotten in east London, with his squad number being retired by the Club.
“To have a place for his friends and family who are still here in Perth and have a memorial of him is huge,” said Tracy. “The story that it gives is an awareness story, and we hope that people can take on board and learn about him and also be inspired by him.
“Every day he inspired us, with his attitude and his approach to everything in life. So I’m hoping his story is heard for all the right reasons.”
The striker, who passed away at the age of 20 following a brave three-year battle with cancer in April 2014, has been immortalised by Perth artist Robert Hitchcock.
The sculpture depicts Dylan holding up his shinguard at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, where he was diagnosed with testicular cancer after undergoing a random drug test, to wish ‘Happy birthday Mum X’ to his mother Tracy, who joined Dylan’s father Jim, brother Taylor and Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett at the unveiling at the nib Stadium.
Dylan, who fought courageously against the disease which ultimately took his life and bravely made his first-team debut for West Ham while undergoing chemotherapy in August 2012, made a huge impact during his time as a Hammer.
The outstanding forward, who started his career in Perth with Wembley Downs Soccer Club and Stirling Lions, was blessed with a character to match. The No38 will never be forgotten in east London, with his squad number being retired by the Club.
“To have a place for his friends and family who are still here in Perth and have a memorial of him is huge,” said Tracy. “The story that it gives is an awareness story, and we hope that people can take on board and learn about him and also be inspired by him.
“Every day he inspired us, with his attitude and his approach to everything in life. So I’m hoping his story is heard for all the right reasons.”
To have a place for his friends and family who are still here in Perth and have a memorial of him is huge
Since his untimely passing, Dylan’s family have worked tirelessly in his memory, creating the DT38 Foundation, which aims to educate young men and change society’s approach to diagnosing the disease.
The DT38 Foundation has attracted huge support in England, Australia and beyond, and Tracy hopes the unveiling of her son’s sculpture will only serve to raise further awareness of the charity.
“I want it to be mandatory that if a man presents with an issue with his testes, the doctor tests for the worst-case scenario instead of just putting them on antibiotics,” she said.
During the family’s return visit to Perth, Tracy will join Socceroos and Perth Glory players in visiting schools to speak about her son’s story.
“He had a lot of self-belief and a lot of respect for others and I want people to see that’s what you need to achieve your goals,” she added.
Australian football fans will be able to see the sculpture for themselves when the Socceroos host Bangladesh in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
For more information about the DT38 Foundation, click here.
The DT38 Foundation has attracted huge support in England, Australia and beyond, and Tracy hopes the unveiling of her son’s sculpture will only serve to raise further awareness of the charity.
“I want it to be mandatory that if a man presents with an issue with his testes, the doctor tests for the worst-case scenario instead of just putting them on antibiotics,” she said.
During the family’s return visit to Perth, Tracy will join Socceroos and Perth Glory players in visiting schools to speak about her son’s story.
“He had a lot of self-belief and a lot of respect for others and I want people to see that’s what you need to achieve your goals,” she added.
Australian football fans will be able to see the sculpture for themselves when the Socceroos host Bangladesh in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
For more information about the DT38 Foundation, click here.