Priest leaves Whanganui on a high note having struck a chord with the community

Father Louis Bochkolz has departed Whanganui to return to Belgium. Locals will remember him for his bicycle kick goals, his religion and his work with youth. Photo / Bevan Conley.

When he moved to Whanganui about six and a half years ago, Father Louis Bochkolz began playing soccer in a local rebel league and opened his account with a bicycle kick goal.

On Sunday, Bochkolz leapt into the air and connected with the ball in an overhead kick again and ended his time playing soccer in Whanganui with another bicycle kick spectacular.

Father Bochkolz is a Roman Catholic priest and has proudly worn his collar while playing the game that he loves for Castlecliff Football Club.

The game on Sunday was a farewell celebration for him between Castlecliff St Anthony's XI and a Whanganui combined XI which was attended by almost 100 people.

Vice president of Castlecliff FC Sean Peterson said that the turnout was a testament to how well-respected Father Bochkolz was in the community.

"The conditions were terrible, it was really wet and muddy, but everyone still made the effort to show up and that is to their credit," Peterson said.

"People knew that he would have done it for them, he's a guy that has shown so much commitment and dedication to his work for those people."

Father Bochkolz scored a hat-trick in the game in which he played one half for each side and Peterson said it was a jovial affair.

"It did turn into a very friendly game with lots of banter and a lot of deliberate efforts to get Father Louis the ball.

"There were some dodgy calls from the referee too and he even had a shot on goal himself."

Peterson said that Father Bochkolz had become a close friend of his through playing together at Castlecliff.

"He's a huge loss to the club, he was my right hand man when it came to motivating everyone. His level of commitment and dedication was infectious.

"He has been the guy that has lifted everyone's spirits when it comes to games and when it comes to training."

Father Bochkolz is from Belgium, he was posted to Whanganui by his superiors who have summoned him back to resume his work in Western Europe.

Peterson said he had been a tireless worker for youth.

"He has been a big part of the youth activities around Whanganui, whether it be sports events, day trips or camps.

"He gave them a routine, something to show up on time for, to be dedicated to and he gave them goals to work towards."

Peterson remembered when he first saw Father Bochkolz out on the field, playing with his collar on.

"I thought it was fantastic, it was great to have that European influence for us and to have a guy that commanded a religious respect as well was great.

"He changed people's views, as they got to know this guy over the years they were taken aback to find that he's just another bloke out there.

"He's not some weird cuckoo guy that's trying to ram God down anyone's throats. He's just an all around good joker."

At the end of the game, players presented Father Bochkolz with a world cup ball that they had all signed and had a good laugh when he revealed about four more he had received.

It seems certain that one day they will be flying into the back of a Belgian net, on the back of a beautifully timed Father Bochkolz bicycle kick.