World Footy News

At the 2008 International Cup dinner those attending were treated to a great video package put together mostly during the event but also containing footage from the Peace Team's preparation in their homeland. The man behind the moving tribute to the players of the tournament, Rob Dickson along with his young son Byron died after a car accident on the road between Sun City and Pretoria in South Africa. His wife Dusty and son Gabriel were also injured in the accident and are currently being treated in hospital. Our thoughts are with his family and the family of his wife Dusty who along with Gabriel are still in a South African hospital.

Dickson also produced the recently released "The Essence of the Game" documentary which profiled the game's 150th year and featured the International Cup and in particular the Peace Team. Dickson's football background was highlighted by his time with Hawthorn (17 games) and the Brisbane Bears (2 games). Many Australians will best remember him for winning the Channel Nine television reality show Australian Survivor.

Going back into the WFN archives Dickson was also involved in a Vietnam footy tour CARE AFL All Stars meet Hanoi Swans for HIV/AIDS awareness. Dickson was due to meet up with the AIS AFL Academy tour next week and it seemed he would continue to tell the story of the emergence of international football talent on film for some time to come. Dickson was clearly a man with a broad vision for all aspects of the game, and the game will be poorer for his loss.

Mr Dickson's brother Don, speaking on behalf of the family, said the family was shattered by the news of the accident and family members were flying to South Africa. He said the family had few details and were asking the media to respect their privacy at this time until they had a better understanding of what had happened and the condition of Dusty and Gabriel, aged eight. "Our family is devastated by the news," Mr Dickson said. "Rob was a wonderful brother, a wonderful son and father to his boys. He just achieved so much in his life as a footballer, as a contestant on Australian Survivor and with his film production work - and also as a loving and kind father," Mr Dickson said. "He was really just a shining light. From an early age everything he turned his hand to he was sensational at but above all he was such a wonderful person who we loved so much."

AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou said staff at the AFL were devastated by his shock death in a car accident and said the football world and the community at large had lost a talented and humble man who was able to capture the ordinary feats of people of all ages and make them extraordinary. "Rob was a personal friend and a great and positive force in life," Mr Demetriou said. "He was a wonderful film-maker but above all he was a wonderful person who brought enormous empathy to what he was doing, whether it was filming a NAB Auskick clinic or Sam Mitchell standing in the middle of the MCG savouring a premiership medal.

"He was a friend to so many of us at the AFL and in the wider football world I don't think there is one person at any level of the game who has met him who was not the better for being in his company because he was so passionate about life and our game. "He was one of those rare people who could capture on film the passion and beauty of the game and to articulate in images exactly what we all love about the game but struggle to be able to put into words." Mr Dickson was on a family holiday in South Africa when the accident occurred. He was due to join the AIS AFL Academy tour of South Africa next week. Mr Demetriou said the death or Rob Dickson and his son Byron was was tragic news and the thoughts of the AFL went out to Rob's wife Dusty and son Gabriel, who are still being treated in hospital for injuries sustained in the accident."All of our thoughts are with the Dickson family at this time of terrible loss and we hope and pray for the recovery of Dusty and Gabriel."

Hawthorn president, Jeff Kennett, spoke on behalf of the Hawthorn community in remembering Dickson. “We’re all shattered by the news,” said Kennett. “Rob was a very creative individual and well known in the AFL and particularly the Hawthorn family. He has done some wonderful work and that will forever be a tribute to his professionalism. Our condolences go out to his broader family and our thoughts are with his wife Dusty and son Gabriel as they continue to be treated in hospital for injuries sustained in the accident and come to terms with the loss of their father, husband, brother and son."