Clubs in a local rugby league comp have paid tribute after a young dad died after he was tackled during a game on the weekend.
Family and friends will celebrate the life of Queensland rugby league player Liam Hampson at a funeral service this afternoon. The 24-year-old was on holiday in Barcelona when he fell 14 metres to his death inside a nightclub.
The man, a player from the Aberglasslyn Ants, was flown to hospital after he was injured during a tackle while playing against Fingal Bay in the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League.
His rugby league club shared a devastating message on Monday, confirming his death.
The number eight jersey will be retired as a way of honouring the player.
“As the sun was setting over McKeachies Oval yesterday afternoon, we remember you,” Aberglasslyn RLFC said on social media.
“… we remember you as a friend, a brother, a father and simply one of the kindest souls in our club.”
The club said it would retire the number eight jersey for the rest of the season to honour the player, who was in his 20s.
Another club, the Morisset Bulls, said it would also retire its number eight jersey.
“Please know that all of the Rugby League community is behind you!” the club said.
The young father has not been identified “while his family comes to terms with the enormity of this loss”, the club said.
A small group of people gathered at McKeachies Oval in Aberglasslyn for a vigil after his on Sunday night.
Members spray-painted “#8” and “BP” on the ground in his honour.
A woman whose son plays with the Aberglasslyn Ants shared what he told her about the incident.
“He watched his teammate get tackled in front of him (as he has so many other times). It was a bad tackle, the young man didn’t make it,” Jen O’Malley shared on social media.
“Hearts breaking for a young bloke that went out to play the footy he loved…and never made it home after the game.”
She said her son was “a mess” after the incident.
Rival clubs have also expressed their support for Aberglasslyn players.
“To the player’s family and friends, we hold you in our prayerful thoughts as you come to terms with the loss of a deeply loved son, father, brother, cousin, grandson, colleague and teammate,” Woodberry Warriors Rugby League Football club said.
A small group of people gathered at McKeachies Oval in Aberglasslyn for a vigil after the man’s death on Sunday night.
“Sending our deepest condolences. Thoughts and prayers with all at this difficult time,” Thornton Beresfield Rugby League Club said.
“Sending our deepest condolences to the family, friends, players and all at the Aberglasslyn RLFC at this difficult and devastating time you are in all our thought,” Shortland Devils RLFC said.
Matiland deputy mayor Mitchell Griffin said it was “such a difficult time” for his local area.
“My deepest condolences to his family and friends, and also all the players and members of the club,” he said on social media.
Nearby club the Wallsend Maryland Tigers have said they will try to help the young man’s family.
“We will look to hold a fundraiser day/event to raise funds for the family of the young man who has sadly passed and do anything we can to assist those in need,” the Tigers said in a statement.
“This is a very sad and unfortunate outcome to someone playing the game they love and we hope that everyone is coping with the current situation.”
The day before the game, the club Aberglasslyn Ants had offered its condolences to those killed in the the horror bus crash near Singleton on the King’s birthday log weekend.
All games featured a minutes silence for the 10 people who were killed when their bus overturned on a roundabout when returning to Singleton from a wedding nearby.