SCA Chaplains hurried to support the Pakenham Football, Netball and Cricket clubs after the sudden passing of one of their own, 19 year old Harley Hulme.
Hulme, a much loved member of the club passed away suddenly after being hit by a train. SCA Gippsland regional chaplains David Sollberger, David Nott and David Hobbs held a grief session and spent some time with the team and stunned community the following Tuesday.
Sollberger, Pakenham’s club chaplain, felt it was important to respond to the situation quickly. After receiving a call from both the Seniors’ coach and the Club President on Saturday morning, they agreed that the best time for the collective debrief would be the following Tuesday at the club rooms. The formal session went for half an hour with some staying behind for a further chat.
Sollberger followed up with the coach and club officials a few weeks after the funeral, as well as with some of the guys that had been with Hulme the night before he died.
“The funeral was good for a lot of the boys.” Sollberger said. “The president mentioned how grateful they (the club) were to have us there to help them in such a time.” “I’m just there for anyone”, he said. “On game day I check in with the Grandfather and the guys I think might be struggling a bit.”
Sollberger said that he was genuinely overwhelmed by the support from his church, family, and SCA.
SCA’s quick response was part of the CLUBCARE Program being roll-out across sports in Australia.