A rugby player was killed after suffering an injury during the course of a game and acquiring an infection while being treated at a the hospital. All his relatives pay the tribute of Maddy Lawrence as a bubbly young woman with talent who was a lover of the game. She passed away more than 14days after she was taken to the hospital with an injury sustained while playing for the UWE Bristol women’s second team against Bristol’s women’s second team.
In a statement, her family members said: “Ever since Maddy started playing the sport of rugby in the UWE, UWE she has enjoyed every minute of it. In the final game during the regular season she suffered an injury that was not life-threatening. She was admitted to hospital and we thought she’d be released at the end of the weekend. “Tragically she contracted an infection caused by bacteria which the acute team worked relentlessly to treat. Maddy was fighting with every muscle throughout her body, and underwent life-saving surgeries each day in the ICU. “Her determination and will to be alive was so strong and her courage and heart which the medical team were in awe and she never quit the fight. On Friday, 25 March her body could bear any more and we were able to took her away, off to the next adventure, with her family at her by her side.”
They added: “Maddy’s presence, bravery, spirit, goodness, sass, beauty and love will never be forgotten and is felt all around us and in us and always will be.”
Lawrence’s family told her they would like to establish a charitable fund to support women’s sports and mental health of youth. A fundraising page was established by a family member in memory of her. Her school stated: “Everyone in the UWE Bristol community is profoundly shocked and saddened by the death of our student and talented UWE women’s rugby player.”
Tom Monks, the head of the UWE Women’s Rugby Union said that Lawrence as “an absolute pleasure to coach” and added: “She wanted to learn and was grateful for every opportunity that her passion for the game earned her. Maddy’s smile and smile of joy represented the bond that we share.”
On Instagram the club posted a photo of her to Maddy Lawrence by the name of “Maddy ‘Twinkle toes’ Lawrence” and added: “She proudly represented our club in and off the field, advancing into the sport and joining our rugby family. Maddy had a vibrant young lady who was a joy being around. When she smiled or laughed, you could not avoid smiling and laughing with her. This was the kind of mother, friend, and daughter Maddy was.”
The club is set to retire the number 11 shirt she wore in remembrance of her.
The team had described the game against Bristol as it was a “big rivalry game” and declared that there was an “lovely mix of abilities” in the match that was some players playing their first match. Women’s clubs across the nation were set to commemorate Lawrence’s passing. Rocky Clark of Saracens rugby club tweeted: “So sorry to hear this tragic news. My thoughts are with all of her teammates loved ones and family. A young life taken way too soon.”
