HARLOW: Tributes paid to talented young Rugby Player
10:57am Thursday 13th November 2008 in Where I Live By Isabel Jensen
Chris Ball, 25, who passed away earlier this month
Tributes have been paid to a popular rugby player who died suddenly at the age of 25.
Chris Ball, a former Mark Hall School pupil had been a member of the Harlow Rugby Club since his days as a junior player, and had recently taken an active hand in coaching the clubs younger members.
Mr Ball went on to attend the Bishop's Stortford High School where he continued his rugby career playing for the school team in the Daily Mail Cup for two years.
After school Mr Ball travelled to Australia where he spent a gap year playing for Bowral Rugby Club in New South Wales. On his return to the UK he studied Leisure and Tourism at Gloucester University.
Harlow Rugby Club Secretary Dave Sharp said he would be remembered as "a true gentleman"
He said: "He was an effective player, coach and above all a good friend to everyone he worked with in the club."
The tributes page set up for him had seen entries flooding in both from the UK and Australia. Mr Sharp added: "As you read through them all there is one simple message, a true gentleman, a dedicated player and coach and at the same time someone with a great sense of humour."
Among the messages were many from those who played alongside him, from teachers and friends from his schooldays and from teachers and pupils at St Marks School where he taught for a while last year.
Fellow prop Paul Prindiville writing from New Zealand said: “Cuddles, you are one of a kind. Mate, you made anyone laugh, always saw the good in everyone and was just a top bloke. Not a bad rugby player as well- Gonna miss you big time big fella”.
Harlow Club Captain Paul Eynon said: "From those he taught and coached the theme that comes through is of someone who could really identify with young people. He gave a lot to those he worked with and it is tragic that he was not spared to do the same for future generations."
