North Beach Celebrate Club Legend

North Beach Football Club honoured their successful club culture on Saturday May 17 with their eleventh annual Gary Tait Memorial Past Players & Sponsors Day.

Past players, officials and sponsors of the club came together to remember the former Claremont and three time North Beach premiership player, Gary Tait who was tragically killed in 1997 in Hong Kong.

After a slow start, North Beach defeated University at Charles Riley Reserve to maintain their spot at the top of the A Grade ladder.

A club initiative in 2007 saw a medal struck in honour of the former club champion and is presented to the best North Beach player on ground.

This year’s Gary Tait Medal was awarded to two time All-Australian amateur Kyle Riemann by Tait’s parents John and Geraldine.

North Beach club president David Cassidy said the event is something the club looks forward to each year.

“Gary [Tait] is a club legend, one of the best amateur players of the nineties,” he said.

“He set the standard as a player on and off the field.

“This game is something the boys look forward to, and lift their game for each year.”

Cassidy addressed the half time luncheon and spoke about how North Beach is expanding their relationship with past players.

“We’ve launched our new website to keep in contact with past players, as well as establishing a 200 club and club merchandise,” he said.

Over 200 people attended the game against University, including club sponsors, representatives from the City of Stirling, WAAFL executives, Community Football Council CEO Brendan Cullinan and members of North Beach’s 1975 colts premiership side.

North Beach Past Players liaison Dave McLaurin said the crowd at the game enjoyed the atmosphere of a great game.

“The game coincides with playing University [Amateur Football Club] which was the last team he played against,” he said

“They’ve helped support the day and have been included in the ceremonial aspect of the presentation after the game.”