{"id":799403,"date":"2026-07-14T09:12:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T09:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/799403\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:12:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T09:12:17","slug":"west-perth-football-club-shattered-by-death-of-anna-keunen-much-loved-wife-of-premiership-hero-chris-keunen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/799403\/","title":{"rendered":"West Perth Football Club shattered by death of Anna Keunen, much-loved wife of premiership hero Chris Keunen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">Tributes are flowing for Anna Keunen, a beloved figure at the <a class=\"css-1lg16vp-StyledTextLink ezegcyi0\" data-link-type=\"article-inline\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/7news.com.au\/sport\/afl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">West Perth Football Club<\/a> who has sadly lost her battle with breast cancer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">Keunen was a mother of two and wife of respected West Perth premiership player Chris Keunen.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">West Perth plays in the WAFL, and is the oldest Australian Rules football club in Western Australia, and one of the oldest clubs in Australia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-178igh4-StyledParagraph e1s06mna1\">Know the news with the 7NEWS app: <a class=\"css-h2mhmv-StyledContextualLink e1s06mna0\" href=\"https:\/\/7news.com.au\/app?utm_source=7NEWS&amp;utm_medium=contextual-link-app&amp;utm_campaign=7news-app\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cThe West Perth Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Anna Keunen, beloved wife of premiership player Chris and mother to Xavier and Hayley,\u201d the club said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cAnna and Chris made the move from Victoria to West Perth in 2006, where Chris went on to play 209 games, including the club\u2019s 2013 premiership, before retiring in 2018. Together, they built a life in the northern suburbs, with Chris continuing to give back to the club in various coaching roles following his playing career.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/36536fc0d99a13ccc637b0cc53e4ae6b175770a9.jpg\" alt=\"Anna Keunen, the wife of respected West Perth premiership player Chris Keunen, has lost her battle with breast cancer.\" class=\"css-16r7l45-StyledImage en5ut4d0\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>Anna Keunen, the wife of respected West Perth premiership player Chris Keunen, has lost her battle with breast cancer. Credit: @Facebook<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cThroughout it all, Anna was a constant presence. A passionate supporter who attended every game, home and away, and became a much-loved friend to many within the club community. <\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cHer unwavering support played a significant role in Chris\u2019s journey and his long-standing contribution to West Perth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cThe club is incredibly grateful for Anna\u2019s friendship and support over the past two decades.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cOn behalf of our playing group, coaches, board, staff and sponsors, we extend our deepest condolences to Chris, Xavier, Haley and the extended Keunen family during this incredibly difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">A GoFundMe has since been organised to help the family through this \u201cincredibly difficult time\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cChris, and their beautiful children, Xavier and Hayley, are now facing the unimaginable loss of their wife and mum,\u201d <a class=\"css-1lg16vp-StyledTextLink ezegcyi0\" data-link-type=\"article-inline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/the-keunen-family\">the GoFundMe said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cNo family should have to worry about financial pressures while grieving such a profound loss. Every donation, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference and allow Chris to focus on what matters most\u2014 supporting his children and honouring Anna\u2019s memory.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">The Quinns District Amateur Football Club was also hearbroken by the loss, and shared details of the GoFundMe on social media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cOur sincere condolences are with everyone at Quinns District Amateur Football Club following the passing of Anna after her courageous battle with breast cancer,\u201d the Perth Football League said<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cWe extend our thoughts to her husband, Chris, their children, Xavier and Hayley, and all of Anna\u2019s family, friends and the wider Quinns District community during this incredibly difficult time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cOur thoughts are with you all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">Friends on social media all said the same thing about Anna &#8230; \u201cshe was a beautiful soul\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cOur deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to Chris, Xavier, Haley, Peter and Barbara on the heartbreaking loss of your beautiful Anna,\u201d one friend wrote..<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cWords cannot truly express how deeply saddened we are. We feel so incredibly honoured and privileged to have known Anna and to have been able to call her and her family our dear and wonderful friends. Her warmth, kindness and beautiful spirit touched our hearts, and we will always treasure the memories and special times we shared. <\/p>\n<p class=\"css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020\">\u201cAnna was a truly beautiful person, inside and out, and her loss will be felt by so many. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten, and she will always hold a special place in our hearts. 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