Tributes paid to popular rugby player Ty Townsley, 15

by The Citizen

Budding rugby star Ty Townsley has died at the age of 15.

The popular Gloucester Academy Year 11 pupil is believed to have died in his sleep at his Tuffley Avenue home on Saturday night.

Tributes have poured in for the Coney Hill Rugby Club Under-16s player since news broke of the tragedy.

Ty's brother Toby, 20, said: "Ty's family would like to express their gratitude to everybody at this very difficult time."

His headteacher John Reilly spoke of his shock on hearing the news.

"I am lost for words to be honest," he said.

"He was a lovely lad, really popular. Not just in among his circle of friends, but with everyone. He was the sort of lad who would talk to everyone.

"During his time here, his love of rugby really shone through.

"All of our thoughts are with his family at the moment."

The school has a book of condolence for the pupils to leave their messages for Ty, which will be passed on to his family. They also had counsellors on hand yesterday to help grieving pupils.

His rugby coach Chris Dee, head of the junior section at Coney Hill RFC, had to inform Ty's teammates of the news before their game with Clifton on Sunday.

He said: "You couldn't have met a nicer kid. I can't believe it, I'm still in shock.

"When I told the lads they were all understandably devastated.

"He loved rugby. He was here for 18 months and he never missed a training session. He had a good future in the game for sure."

The Under-16s match was postponed in honour of Ty.

Fellow coach Simon Baldwin said: "He was such a popular guy, everyone liked him.

"Ty is going to be missed by everyone, that is for sure."

Police have confirmed that a 15-year-old boy was pronounced dead by the ambulance service at around 8.35am on Sunday.

They are not treating his death as suspicious and the coroner has been informed.