When former Silver Fern Tania Dalton passed away last year, New Zealand plunged into mourning.
The fit, fabulous athlete was playing a game of touch rugby when she collapsed and days later her family made the horrific decision to turn off her life support.
But more than a year on from the tragedy, Tania’s friends are determined her memory, legacy and passions will live on, including former Ferns teammate Adine Wilson.
Speaking to the Weekly, Adine says there’s not a day that goes past where she doesn’t think of her gorgeous friend.
“With Tania, when you were with her, you felt like the most important person in the room,” she says. “She made you feel like you were her best friend. But, she had millions of them! That’s just the way she was.”
But now, Adine’s giving back by being part of a foundation that’s serving one of Tania’s greatest passions – getting kids involved in sport.
“Obviously, it’s all come about for a pretty crap reason,” says Adine, who’s married to rugby and cricket legend Jeff Wilson. “We lost our dear friend. But, Tania was so passionate about kids playing sport, and making sure all kids had the opportunity to play. Her family and friends recognised that passion and thought it was a great way to remember Tania.”
Soon after Tania passed, The Tania Dalton Foundation was born, and Adine’s thrilled she’s a part of it as a mentor to a very special young athlete, tennis sensation Holly Stewart.
And, it’s another way to remember her beloved ‘T’ – and Adine’s sure she’s looking down with a big grin on her face.
For more, see this week’s issue of New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, out now!
