It is with great sadness that we inform the members and supporters of the club, of the very sad passing of our 1st Under 19 Colts coach, Steve Ingram, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. Steve was the father of current player Josh Ingram.
Steve was a long-time supporter and member of the broader VAFA as a player with St. Leo’s, where he played over 200 senior games, was awarded a life membership, and also served as the Club Treasurer.
Steve’s involvement with De La commenced in 2016 when he became the 1st coach of the newly formed De La Salle Under 19 Colts; a team made up exclusively of Year 11 and Year 12 boys from the College, after a successful junior coaching career at Murrumbeena. When we look at the current playing group Steve has had a significant input with the development of some of those players.
He was immediately embraced by the club, the players and supporters at De La for his enthusiasm, footy knowledge and humility, but more importantly his dry and contagious sense of humour.
On field he was able to guide the Colts to a Grand final in their 1st year, where they were ultimately defeated, then followed that up with a completely new group of young players and finished 3rd.
From there he coached the Under 19 Golds, followed by being the assistant to our Reserves for 2 years, and despite being in constant pain and undergoing extensive treatment for his cancer, the club was delighted when he agreed to help act as an assistant coach to the 3rds in 2023.
Nicknamed “Whispers” because according to him he refused to shout either in a pre-game address or during the game, there are those who say it was due to his fiscal tendencies, which was no doubt a hangover from having been a club treasurer.
His humour, and unfailing loyalty to his son Josh and the mates he played with will be sorely missed by all at the club and the broader VAFA community.
Steve would say that he was not defeated by his illness, rather the clock was against him as he fought to the end with resilience and humour.
We offer support and our deepest condolences to his wife Annie and his children, Georgia and Josh.
May he rest in peace.
Funeral Details:
Friday 15th December, 2023
2.00 pm Service
St Patrick’s Church Murrumbeena
Cnr Murrumbeena & Dalny Rds, Murrumbeena.
Celebration afterwards at De La Footy Clubrooms, from 4.00 pm onwards.
425 Waverley Rd, Malvern East
