Friday, May 29, 2020

Vale Kerry Ernest Dennis (8.07.1944 - 24.05.2020)


Photo:  The late Kerry Dennis, a prominent figure in Tasmanian football [Photo courtesy of Michael Hancox]

The death occurred in Hobart this week of Kerry Ernest Dennis, one of the movers and shakers of football in northern Tasmania for over 50 years.

Kerry had not enjoyed the best of health in recent years but remained involved in the game and was as passionate about it as ever.

He passed away at the Royal Hobart Hospital last Sunday, aged 75.

Kerry had a tenure as president of the Northern Tasmanian Soccer Association and, before that, was practically involved in the game as a goalkeeper, a coach and a trainer.

He coached high school teams and representative teams in the early 1970s and was also an accomplished goalkeeper himself at senior level in northern Tasmanian football.

He played for Launceston Juventus and had several spells at the club over several decades as a trainer and a goalkeeper coach.  He even drove the team bus at times.

He always returned to Launceston Juventus (Launceston City) after stints with other clubs.

Photo:  Kerry Dennis (second from right in back row, wearing a ball cap) with the Launceston City squad at South Hobart on 5 August, 2006 [PlessPix]

He was involved with Launceston City (formerly Launceston Juventus) even in recent months and coached the club’s goalkeepers.

He had a spell at Riverside Olympic as a goalkeeping coach before returning to Launceston Juventus, and he was also with Western Suburbs (formerly Launceston Croatia) for a time.

Kerry served as  president of Launceston Juventus for a time and was also on the club's committee at various times.  He played a leading role in acquiring floodlighting at Juventus’s  Prospect ground.

He also had a season as Launceston United’s coach.

With the formation of the NPL Tasmania competition, he became the goalkeeping coach at Launceston Juventus during the tenure of senior coach Lino Sciulli.

He followed Sciulli to Northern Rangers and was goalkeeping coach at that club for two seasons.

“He had strong opinions about most things and not everyone agreed with him all the time, but his one true love was Launceston Juventus,” said Lino Sciulli.

“He would have done anything for the club and anything for soccer in Tasmania.

“He always had the best intentions.

“As a player, he was a fantastic goalkeeper in his day.”

He will always be remembered as a prominent contributor to the game of football in northern Tasmania in particular.

5 comments:

Peter Maddox said...

Sad day. I fondly remember spending a year being coached by Kerry at Juve. He was slightly mad, but what goalie isn't.

Anonymous said...

RIP Kerry

Mike Denton said...

Very sad. Always a tough opponent but always up for a chat after the game.

Roger Mies said...

Great write up as usual Walter
Thanks for acknowledging Kerry's contribution to Launceston City (Juventus) and Tasmanian footbsll in general. RIP KD.

Brian Young said...

Vale Kerry Dennis. I knew him as a fine custodian for St Leonards Rovers. I spoke with him last year... remembered me after almost 40 years. Condolences to family.