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Orangeville Outlaws coach honoured posthumously at fundraising event

October 5, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

A fundraising event hosted by the Orangeville Outlaws Football Club became a memorial event following the sudden passing of a much-admired coach with the organization the evening before the club-sponsored fundraiser was scheduled to take place.

Rashied Walfall was an enthusiastic, dedicated, and supportive coach with the Outlaws’ flag football program. Known for his dedication, he never missed a practice or a game. Even when he became ill, Mr. Walfall continued to support the league and attend games. He was at the Club’s annual awards ceremony the week before his passing.

In addition to his volunteer time with the Outlaws, Mr. Walfall was an officer with the Peel Regional Police.

Mr. Walfall was diagnosed with cancer in July 2022 but continued to attend games and take part in Outlaws events.

The Outlaws decided to host a fundraising event at Westside Secondary School in Orangeville to help Mr. Walfall and his family with any extra expenses that have been incurred due to his illness.

The event was planned for Friday, Sept. 29, on the school fields, with several flag football games taking place.

Unfortunately, Mr. Walfall’s health declined suddenly, and he passed away on Thursday, Sept. 28, the evening before the fundraiser.

News of his passing was a heavy blow to the Outlaws family, and many people arrived at the fundraiser only to be informed he had died.

“He was a big voice here, for sure,” said Matt McAulay, president of the Orangeville Outlaws. “Rashied was coaching here for going on two years and he’s been battling cancer for over a year. He hasn’t missed a practice, hasn’t missed a game. We had these T-shirts made that say, ‘We play for Rasheid.’ Each team, the players, the executive and his family were going to wear these, and we were going to have him out here just to show our love for him and our appreciation for his dedication to our organization. As of this past Wednesday, he was going to come out. Tragically, last night, things took a turn for the worse and he passed away. His wife is here, his two sons play in junior and senior divisions. They’re all here to honour his dedication, his love for the community and football.”

Several Peel Regional Police officers attended the event in uniform, including Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, to honour their fallen comrade.

A moment of silence was held prior to the games to honour Mr. Walfall.

A police cruiser’s siren sounded at the end of the moment of silence in tribute.

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