FIT loses an amazing volunteer - Vale Lou Tompkins

Image: FIT President, Erick Acker, and Lou together in August 2019.

Lou was both inspirational and passionate about the sport of touch to which he dedicated and involved himself for over thirty years in Australia at local, state and national level, and has been an active member of the FIT Referees Panel for over two decades. His knowledge of our sport and ability to inspire on-field referees attain their best was recognised by his peers worldwide.

Lou referred to himself as a warrior as he battled his debilitating cancer for the last twenty years, however, at all times he maintained his sense of humour and personal involvement with our sport as he continued to attend his local competitions in the South Queensland and Border Districts area until his illness and coronavirus ended his appearances.

An acknowledgement from current FIT Referees Panel Member Darrin Sykes:

Thank you, Lou, for all of the insights you gave me and other referee coaches from when I first met and worked with you at the 1999 World Cup and at many Trans Tasman and World Cup events since then. You were respectful to all referees and referee coaches whilst always giving your best and most honest advice but always respectfully. Your integrity in working in the referee coach space is the benchmark for me, for referee coaches.

To his wife Robyn and his loved ones including grandchildren, we send our deepest sympathy on your loss, at the same time please accept the gratitude of the sport of Touch worldwide as we benefited from having Lou as a valued and respected member for so long.

Lou's long and courageous battle is now over and he can find his peace with the comfort of knowing his legacy will linger with FIT, our Board & Commissions, our Referees Panel, and all referees he "touched" in his lifetime.