THE wider rugby community has rallied behind the Tooth family and the Quirindi Lions after the devastating loss of Nicholas Tooth.
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The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive officer Bill Pulver, along with NSW Rugby chairman Nick Farr-Jones and NSW Country Rugby executive officer Terry Woodward have offered their condolences to Nick’s family, friends, teammates and the club.
“The passing of one of our young country rugby players over the weekend is incredibly sad and is a loss that is felt by the entire Australian rugby community,” Mr Pulver said.
“I’d like to thank those who helped at the scene on Sunday and we’ll ensure we provide whatever support we can for Nick’s family and club at this challenging time.”
Sunday’s incident has been described as nothing short of a tragic accident.
“It was a tragic situation, which was basically an accident with a very unfortunate outcome,” Mr Woodward said.
“It’s just rocked everyone from the top echelon to guys just running around park football.” Central North Rugby (CNR)have confirmed they will support the club for however long it is needed.
“We’re keen to see Quirindi get through this and continue to be a viable rugby club,” CNR president Tony Byrnes said, adding the zone would offer assistance in anyway it could. Quirindi Lions president Charles Murray has praised the response of the Narrabri team, which he said was dignified and of immense assistance on the field, and Narrabri president
Jack Findley said he’d been in touch and offered the Lions their full support.
He said the Narrabri players were obviously upset but holding up OK.
“They’re still trying to get their heads around it,” he said.
Tributes are continuing to pour in across the rugby community, with condolences passed on from the Wallabies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Red, Gold Coast Rugby, the ACT
Brumbies, as well local clubs and footy greats like Tim Horan and Wendell Sailor.
Liverpool Plains Mayor Andrew Hope said it’s not just the rugby fraternity reeling.
“[Yesterday] morning when I went down, the rugby boys were all there together at the Impact Cafe and the mood was pretty sombre,” he said.
“The community is sad; everyone is talking about it. He was too young, and there is nothing worse than having to bury your children.”
Cr Hope said the community will respond to the families wishes, as well as the rugby team’s plans.
“The whole community’s hearts go out to the family.They are longterm members of our community, and we want them to know the community is there for them,” he said.
“Rugby is probably the biggest followed sporting event in our community. You go past that rugby ground when there is a game on and there is no room to park your car.
“There is always a good crowd and most of the rural community stop for it. It’s a very rural-based sport with a lot of traditional members.”