Mitchell Weeden, a 38-year-old vice president and goalkeeper for Northern Storm in Coffs Harbour, died suddenly on May 20. The club postponed matches, paid tribute across local football and cricket, and a GoFundMe has raised more than $21,000 for his wife Lian
When Northern Storm posted that Mitchell Weeden had died “yesterday afternoon. ” the message landed like a jolt across the north coast of New South Wales. Weeden. 38. was the club’s vice president and Premier League goalkeeper. but the role that defined him for many people was simpler: always there—on match days. at training. and around the club when something needed doing.
The Northern Storm football community is now in mourning after Weeden’s sudden death on May 20. In a Facebook statement, the club said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mitchell Weeden yesterday afternoon.”
For the Northern Storm, the loss is bigger than a single player. Weeden was described as a valued friend. teammate. father. husband. grounds person. equipment coordinator. goalkeeping coach. referee. Under 6s coordinator. and more. The club said he “gave countless hours to our club and community” and that his passing “will leave an enormous void in both our club and our hearts.”.
Weeden leaves behind his wife, Liana, and their two young sons—aged 4 and 2. The club’s message added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the entire Weeden and Hall families during this incredibly difficult time.”
Last weekend, Northern Storm’s premier league and first division matches were postponed because of the news. Other teams in the competition held a minute’s silence, underscoring how deeply the moment was felt across the league.
A GoFundMe has also been created to support Liana Weeden and their sons. At the time of writing, it had raised more than $21,000.
The club remembered Weeden as someone who helped wherever needed, from training and marking lines to anything around the ground. “He was always there to lend a hand wherever needed. whether that was helping train players. marking lines. or simply doing whatever needed to be done around the club. ” the Northern Storm wrote. “Mitch was the kind of person who was always there for others.”.
Two days after his death, Liana Weeden posted a Facebook tribute. She shared a photo of herself and her husband kissing at their wedding and captioned it. “Always & forever.” Her post drew messages including: “I love you so much & I’m so sorry this is happening to you and the boys. ” and “Mitch truly had the biggest heart and cherished all of you so much.”.
Outside the pitch, Weeden was also deeply involved in cricket. He was the president of the Coffs Colts Cricket Club. The Colts announced his passing with “great sadness. ” saying he had led the club as president through the previous two seasons “with a strength and courage that will never be forgotten.” They added that he was always willing to help “whether that be through coaching juniors and mentoring the next generation of cricketers or getting behind the bbq at club functions. ” and that the club “would not be where it is without the tireless efforts of Mitch to ensure our club was successful.”.
Messages of shock and respect poured in from friends and community members as well. Craig Caruana wrote: “We are all worse off for the person we lost. but we are better people for the person we knew.” Caruana said Weeden was his “right hand” for so long and described missing their daily chats about “what we could do to make our club better. ” along with reminders about burning down a line marking machine while painting lines.
Other commenters echoed the same sense of loss and gratitude. One wrote: “One of the nicest blokes both on and off the pitch. Always there with a helpful tip, a dad joke or just to say hi. What a huge loss for the people who had the privilege to know him.” Another added: “Rest easy Mitch I can’t believe you are gone. you were one of the nicest and giving person I have met. we will all miss you and thank you for everything.”.
Beyond Northern Storm and the Coffs Colts, other football clubs in the area—including Bellingen, Urunga, Boambee and the Kempsey Saints—also paid tribute online.
For a club and community built on routine and relationships. the suddenness of Weeden’s death has left an immediate gap: in squads. in training schedules. and in the everyday presence of a man known for doing whatever was needed. In the days that follow, the postponements and the money raised through the GoFundMe are only part of the response. The larger part is the shared effort—through messages, silence, and support—to hold up the family he leaves behind.
Mitchell Weeden Northern Storm Coffs Harbour NSW football Premier League goalkeeper vice president GoFundMe Liana Weeden Coffs Colts Cricket Club Coffs Colts Bellingen Urunga Boambee Kempsey Saints May 20