THE BOBBY ALEC MEMORIAL MATCH TO BE PLAYED IN HEDLAND

Wickham Wolves in the 90s including Glen Higgins and Bobby Alec

The Bobby Alec Memorial match is taking place in Hedland on Saturday. 

Mr Alec passed away while playing football during a NAIDOC footy festival in 2015. 

He played for the Wickham Wolves and the South Hedland Swans and the match means the world to Mr Alec’s family who miss him dearly.

Barry Taylor is the uncle of Bobby Alec and watched him grow up at Yandeyarra.

“He was a very talented Sportsman whether he played football or basketball. He was always was one of those kids that just stood out from the other kids.

I remember all the family used to drive in for basketball carnivals and football carnivals and that's when I noticed when he was about  14.

He stood head and shoulders above the other kids at Yandeyarra,” Mr Taylor said. 

Mr Taylor played in the WAAFL in the 90s and when he returned the late Bobby Alec was playing for the South Hedland Swans. 

“Through the early 90s, he was their best player. He was one of the most respectful kids you could ever meet. like I said,  being my family. I'm probably a bit biased. Just a superboy, good values, respect for elders and culture.  He was one of a king alright.”

“One time we were working in Yandeyarra and we had to go to Mount Newman for a game of footy. We was mustering then with my old father and he has passed away too, old Mr Lockyer. We had no car and the old father in law, he’s was a hard old bugger. He said  ‘if you want to play football you got to get that cattle into the yard before Sundown. 

“Everything that went wrong, went wrong.  We were there until 9 or 10 at night. And then me and him ..  about 4 in the morning,  got up, left the camp and went to Newman to play footy and then we broke down.  He was that fit, he jogged back to the out camp and got a car for us. 

We made it to the game in the afternoon! You would think another man would be stuffed from that.  Working all night, mustering then jogging back to get a car and he just came out and blitzed it.”

Wendly Alec with Mr Higgins

Former Wickham Wolves Coach and player Glen Higgins played with Bobby Alec in the Wickham Wolves.

“He was really skilful as a footballer.  I think that when he played in Swans in Hedland he kicked ten goals against us (Wickham Wolves).  When he came to Wickham I got to know him a lot more, he was always happy and smiling.  He was a good Collingwood supporter and we had good times on the field and off the field.”

Mr Higgins is predicting Wickham Wolves to win against the Swans tomorrow.