Tragedy as AFL star Samara Whitney, 16, dies suddenly as club pays tribute to ‘pocket rocket’ player

A RISING soccer star has died suddenly on the age of 16.

Samara Whitney performed for Australia’s Wynyard Soccer Club in Tasmania.

She has been described as a “pocket rocket” on the sphere in emotional tributes.

Samara, who was a part of the AFL’s Tasmania Devils program, died on Tuesday. Her explanation for loss of life has not been revealed.

Wynyard FC stated: “[Samara was] a vibrant & loveable younger girl who has made her mark on the WFC as a passionate and proficient player, who had an enormous future forward of her.

“Our younger gun, our pocket rocket, our quantity 2 … such a optimistic affect for all. Somebody who had an amazing reference to each our club and the broader neighborhood. It will final ceaselessly.

“A real star who shone vivid each in and out.

“We thanks for permitting us to be part of your journey and for bringing a lot gentle (and) pleasure into so many lives.”

Samara attended Marist Regional School and joined Wynyard FC a number of years in the past.

She had been enjoying within the Senior Girls’s Premiership facet this yr.

Her principal Gregg Sharman stated Samara had a “vivid future” forward of her, experiences information.com.au.

He added: “Greater than soccer, Samara was a vivacious, charismatic, participating, pleasant, and compassionate pupil to each particular person.

“Samara had a vivid future in a variety of features of her life.

“Our faculty is deeply saddened and we share our prayers, sympathy and condolences with [her parents] together with their daughters right now.”

A GoFundMe web page has been arrange to assist her devastated dad and mom with funeral prices.

Organiser Sasha Burr wrote: “Time has since stood nonetheless for her household, associates, faculty neighborhood and sporting golf equipment as all of us start to grieve and navigate life with out our particular woman.

“With the permission of Samaras dad and mom Kym and Seton, we’ve got arrange this web page to help with giving their daughter a lovely farewell that she deserves.”

To this point, well-wishers have donated greater than $20,000.

AFL Tasmania hailed Samara as a “beloved member”.

An announcement stated: “AFL Tasmania extends its deepest sympathies to the Wynyard Soccer Club, North West Soccer League and Tasmania Devils communities following the sudden passing of Samara Whitney.

“Samara was a beloved member of the Wynyard Cats and the Tasmania Devils program, having additionally represented the NWFL on this yr’s Girls’s All Stars Sequence.

“Our ideas are with Samara’s associates, household and members of the Tassie footy neighborhood.”