Counties Manukau Rugby has announced all senior games this weekend will pause for a moment’s silence to pay tribute to Cory Heather.
The 33-year-old Beachlands Maraetai Rugby Club player sustained a severe brain injury during an Under 85kg match at Te Puru Park in Beachlands on April 27.
He was flown to Auckland City Hospital by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter for medical treatment but tragically passed away surrounded by his loved ones the following night.
Heather, a former Pakuranga College pupil, had three young children.
A Givealittle fundraising page created by family friends Candice Attwell and Ashleigh Cometti to support for his family has reached $162,619 from 2019 donors in three days.
Counties Manukau Rugby says alongside its senior clubs it’s decided to implement a competition-wide moment of silence to acknowledge the tragedy and pay respect to Heather’s partner Rachel Hurcombe as well as his family, friends and rugby club.
“In a show of unity among the U85kg community, each club in the grade has agreed to retire the #12 jumper, worn by Heather, for the remainder of the season,” Counties Manukau Rugby says.
“It is understood that there will be clubs from the Auckland, North Harbour, Waikato and Wellington U85kg grade that are likely to retire their #12 jerseys for this weekend also as a mark of respect.”
The Givealittle page is online at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-for-rachel-hurcombe-and-her-family.
