West Ham United women’s team continue to honour the memory of Dylan Tombides during their tour to Perth, with the Club visiting the late Hammers striker’s hometown for the second year running.
Former Australian youth national team player Tombides was born in the city and capital of Western Australia in 1994, playing schoolboy football for local sides Wembley Downs Soccer Club, Perth Soccer Club and Stirling Lions before being scouted by the Irons, moving to London with his family and joining the Academy of Football at the age of 14 in 2008.
A prolific goalscoring record and outstanding all-round game saw the centre-forward quickly move through the ranks, make a Premier League matchday squad at 17 and his senior debut in an EFL Cup tie at the Boleyn Ground at 18.
Tragically, however, Tombides was diagnosed with testicular cancer while representing his country at the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup and, despite his immense bravery and resilience, and at one stage being given the all-clear, the disease returned and ultimately took his life in April 2014. He was just 20.
Following his death, Tombides’ No38 shirt was retired by the Club - an honour only previously bestowed on the late, great Bobby Moore, who was also diagnosed with testicular cancer as a young man - and his family created the DT38 charity in February 2015.
West Ham’s men’s side showcased their support for the charity by training and warming up with DT38-branded t-shirts during their Unmissable Football tour to Western Australia in summer 2023, while the DT38 logo appeared on their Claret and Blue shirts for both of their matches Down Under.
With the women’s team in town one year on, Rehanne Skinner’s charges similarly donned DT38 awareness shirts at their first training session in the city on Monday, when they engaged with supporters during a meet and greet session at Macedonia Park - home of the aforementioned Stirling Lions.
The DT38 logo will also feature on the back of the side’s matchday shirts for both of their Perth International Football Cup clashes, against French outfit Paris Saint-Germain at 6.15pm AWST on Thursday 29 August at HBF Park, and either Manchester City or Leicester City at the same venue on Sunday 1 September.
Ahead of kick-off against PSG, a 30-second trailer for a new documentary about Tombides, produced by DT38 and Premier League Productions (PLP), is set to be played on the big screens at HBF Park, arming as many people as possible with the knowledge to fight testicular cancer.
On Wednesday 28 August, four members of the West Ham women’s team squad visited the statue of Tombides outside the city’s Perth Rectangular Stadium, that was unveiled in 2015.
Dagný Brynjarsdóttir, Camila Sáez, Riko Ueki and Soraya Walsh were each pleased to learn more about Dylan’s story, and were all proud to support a cause so close to the hearts of all at the Club.
Brynjarsdóttir said: “I’m very honoured to have been able to visit the statue and honour Dylan’s memory, which is really important to everyone associated with West Ham United.
“The work DT38 does to raise awareness of testicular cancer, and cancer in general, is amazing, and it’s great to keep spreading the word on our t-shirts and match shirts, which we’re all looking forward to wearing in both of our games over here.”
Donna Giuffre, Head of Media & Operations at DT38 Australia, added: “We are incredibly honoured to welcome the West Ham United women's team to Perth. Their visit is also a beautiful way to honour Dylan’s legacy.
“Dylan Tombides was deeply connected to West Ham, and seeing the Club continue to support DT38 and our work means the world to us. This visit highlights the ongoing commitment to raising awareness for testicular cancer and keeping Dylan's memory alive through football.”
For information about DT38’s education and awareness programmes and resources, news and events, and how to make a donation to the charity, click HERE.
Tickets for West Ham’s games against PSG and either Manchester City or Leicester City are available HERE.
The Hammers’ front of shirt branding will look a little different during the two Perth International Football Cup fixtures, with a BW Scores logo replacing the normal Betway logo.
BW Scores is a free-to-play global live scores website and app which is the go-to destination for sports related content, including real-time live scores, team line-ups, league tables, match statistics, general match information and commentary.
