Vale Elmer Cano and Caleb Bowman

Photo:  Elmer Cano was an enthusiastic and determined footballer whenever he played. [PlessPix]

The sudden death occurred in Hobart yesterday of former football player, Elmer Cano.

The 50-year-old died while playing Futsal at Bellerive.

Elmer was from El Salvador in Central America and came to Tasmania with his wife, Marleny, as refugees when he was 22 years old.

A resolute defender, he played for Glenorchy Knights, Olympia, Hobart Juventus and South Hobart.

Photo:  Elmer Cano (extreme left of front row) in a Glenorchy Knights team in 2008. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Elmer Cano (extreme left of back row) in a Glenorchy Knights team on 8 March 2008. [PlessPix]

A cheerful and enthusiastic player always, he still attended some games and often supported the Knights.

He was affected deeply by his brother’s murder in El Salvador last year, while his father passed away only recently.

Elmer worked hard to make a new life for his family and, away from football, he built a successful business career and he was manager of Ingles Chicken Farm near Sorell.

He provided employment there for many fellow immigrants from El Salvador.

Photo:  Elmer Cano (second from right, front row) in an Olympia team photographed at KGV Park. [PlessPix]  

Elmer is survived by his wife, Marleny, and daughters Kelsey and Ashley.

His daughters are promising athletes and Elmer and Marleny devoted much time in fostering their daughters’ sporting interests.

*****

Promising young Northern Rangers footballer, Caleb Bowman, was killed in a car crash near Oatlands on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old began his footballing career as a junior with North Launceston Eagles.

He was also a former athlete with the Mowbray Little Athletics Club.

He was in the Northern Rangers under-18 side that won the league championship in 2020.

This past season, he played for the Northern Rangers Division 1 team.