LEAVE A TRIBUTE FOR NATHAN BY POSTING A COMMENT AT THE END OF THIS STORY.NATHAN Prince has been remembered as a cheeky but caring friend, a great sportsman and a model son who always bore a "trademark big, cheeky grin".
There was barely a dry eye to be seen at Nathan's funeral as about 500 mourners gathered to bid a final farewell.
It was a sombre mood as mourners filled St Bernard's Catholic Church in Bacchus Marsh, packing the front foyer and even spilling into the church courtyard to pay their respects to the much loved footballer.
Nathan, 17, died in hospital last Wednesday having spent 11 days in intensive care after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing football for Bacchus Marsh.
In a touching funeral that lasted for almost two hours, friends and relatives recalled how they had been touched with the "Nathan Prince charm".
Footscray legend Doug Hawkins, who coached Nathan in the under 16.5 team at Bacchus Marsh, promised the team would win the grand final that would be decided against North Ballarat City on Sunday at Ballarat's City Oval.
The Ballarat Football League has since announced the best player on the ground will be awarded the Nathan Prince Memorial Medal.
"Nath, you are a bloody ripper mate. We're going to bring that flag home for you Nath," Hawkins said in a message read at the funeral by Nathan's uncle Stuart Trotman.
Mr Trotman also spoke on behalf of Nathan's parents Ian and Bernie, his older brother Matt and his younger sister Alisha.
He said as a group, people had to accept there was no reason why Nathan was taken away, that there was "no answer, just an empty space".
"To help us with the grieving we need to promise ourselves here today that we will picture Nathan's infectious smile and use these four words: Nathan is my inspiration," he said.
As symbols of his life, family members offered up a Big Bird soft toy that Nathan had grown up with, a Sherrin that Hawkins had given to him, a whistle which he was said to have blown in the house everyday just to annoy family members and a photo of Nathan.
His coffin was then carried out of the funeral by the pall bearers, including Hawkins, while the song Forever Young was played.
After the funeral ceremony, emotional teammates from TAC Cup side Western Jets formed a guard of honour outside the church for the hearse containing Nathan's coffin, which was draped in Bacchus Marsh and Western Jets football jumpers.
From there Nathan's coffin travelled to Maddingley Park where it did a lap of honour while the Bacchus Marsh Football Club theme song played.
Upon exiting the ground, the siren played for an extended period, balloons were released into the air and Nathan Prince was clapped off the football ground for one last time.
League chief executive Rod Ward said Nathan’s parents were expected to present the medal named in his honour after the match.
"We’ve spoken with his family, who want to present the medal, but it’s going to be a very emotional day, so if they decide they can’t do it, we will present it on their behalf," he said.
"We felt it (the medal) would be a great way to honour Nathan.
"He had a great impact on everyone in the football community and we felt it would be a fitting tribute to a fantastic young player and fantastic young man."
- with The Courier.
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