Log in

Ben Robinson

by

John McMurtry

–

,

PRESS RELEASE FROM IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

It is with sincere regret that the Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch has learned of the death of Ben Robinson who collapsed during a rugby match at Carrickfergus Grammar School on Saturday morning.

The heartfelt condolences of the IRFU Ulster Branch and the entire rugby fraternity are extended to Ben’s parents, family and all at Carrickfergus Grammar School at this time.

PRESS RELEASE FROM CARRICKFERGUS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The Board of Governors, staff and pupils of Carrickfergus Grammar School extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of Ben Robinson who has lost his life in the Royal Victoria Hospital after collapsing at a Medallion Shield rugby match here at the school on Saturday morning.

I know I speak for all who knew Ben when I say that he was a vivacious and highly popular pupil with a broad smile and a great sense of humour. Ben brought heart to everything he did, and that was very evident in how well he played for the school on Saturday morning. His parents have every right to be deeply proud of him.

Ben’s loss will obviously be felt keenly by many, many pupils throughout the school, but most especially by his older sister, Holly, whom we shall all be doing our utmost to support. We have arranged for counselling to be made available and our pastoral care team will make it their priority to help pupils through these tragic days and the weeks and months beyond. We shall also be opening a book of condolence so that staff and pupils have the chance to convey to Ben’s family their deep regrets and yet many happy memories of a boy who brought so much to his life and the lives of those who knew him.

The Front Row Union wish to extend our condolences to Ben’s family and friends.

4 responses to “Ben Robinson”

  1. David

    Dear Karen,

    I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It also must have taken much courage to write the above comment. I haven’t read any article that you refer that perhaps stirred up some disrespectful comments.

    Rugby is an amazing game, and it is the essence of the sport, the physicality, the contact, the sense of really going through a struggle with team mates, that make me, 8 years out of school (in N.ire) still hark back to the days of playing school boy rugby. These were my best days, and like your Ben im sure, the school experience was enhanced 10 fold by training all week, and then enjoying a game on a saturday. I looked on in pity that left school at 1530 and went home to do nothing. There were of course times when I didnt want to run out in the cold, dark, wet winters to train. Those feelings were always dispelled straight after when I got home shattered, and aching, but ultimately feeling like I achieved something.

    It would be a tragic day when all kids are stopped from doing what they love at school because of the potential for tragic ‘freak accidents’. There is no need to defend yourselves from whatever has been written about allowing a child to play rugby, or wearing a head guard if that was suggested.

    My sincerest thoughts are with you at this time.

    Reply
  2. Karen Robinson

    On Saturday I buried my son with indescribable pain and loss. I watched my son regularly and with great pride with his step dad who has a long rugby background. We watched our committed son play with great passion. He was commited and hard, but fair and respectful to opponents.
    I have taken great heart from the thousands of tributes on social network sites about my baby bear, as I called him. He lived and breathed rugby and saw the 5 days in school as the reason to play on Saturday.
    However, I came across a website discussion about the pitfalls of contact sports, I believe attached to the Manchester News or Herald or some publication from that region.
    I was saddened, but not surprised to hear the rhetoric from people posting their opinions completely subjectively and in the absence of knowledge of the actual cause of Ben’s
    death that I am not prepared to divulge at this stage.
    How can we make the game safer? Should all kids not be wearing head guards? Ben did not receive a blow to the head but he did lose his battle for life to a head injury. Those who are prepared to pontificate so ill, nay completely uninformed will no doubt be scratching their heads trying to figure this out. They should however take stock and have regard to the feelings of my family at this time.
    As I have stated previously I am not prepared to divulge the specifics of Ben’s cause of death but suffice to say one of the most emminent neurologists at the Royal Victoria Hospital said that Ben’s death was a complete freak accident and that no form of headgear would have saved him. The exact physiological reasons for this have been fully explained to me.
    This injury could occur to people from the horse fraternity following a fall which includes many children under encouragement from proud onlooking parents. Do we start a lobby to ban pony clubs?
    Hindsight is always 20 20. Perhaps the objectors could air their concerns in force prior to any tragedy as opposed to finger pointing after the event.
    I did not send my son out considering death a possibility. I, as was he, accutely aware of the risks but has a father and step father who have played rugby for over 50 years between them, to senior and representative level whilst enduring numerous injuries over the years.
    Ben, like all his team mates took knocks. That is inevitable. His death was not. It was a tragic accident.
    Wrap your kids in cotton wool too tightly and you just might suffocate them.
    Finally, obtain all the facts before expressing your opinion or it will certainly not be balanced and informed and in all probability at best negated or at worst ignored.

    Karen & Steven Walton, Mum and Step Dad to Ben. 6/2/11

    Reply
  3. Victoria

    Ben will be remembered by everyone he was a great person and no one will forget him RIP we all miss you so much x

    Reply
  4. DEAN

    I havent seen ben in ages but from what i do remember he was a funny,happy and tall guy

    Reply

Corrections, comments or questions?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

IF in Doubt, sit them out

Download the UK Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport Here

Latest Posts