Club in mourning

IPSWICH Rugby club is in mourning following the news that one of their top players last season, Joost LeRoux, was killed in a road traffic accident while on a visit to his home town of Vryheid, in South Africa.

Joost, who would have celebrated his 20th birthday at the end of this month, was scouted by Ipswich coach Andy Skipper while he was on tour with the club in South Africa, and many of the players at the club knew Joost, and his family, very well.

Coach Skipper said: “After our first game against Vryheid, we stayed on to watch their 1st XV play and it was during this match that I spotted a very strong and talented lock who was playing up two years.

“I approached his father to see his interest in having his son finish his schooling at St Joseph's College as a rugby scholar. The father was delighted with the idea and in September of the same year, Joost enrolled at College for his final two years of schooling.”

He continued: “Joost was a stalwart of a player, failing to believe that anything, including injuries, should keep you from the field. He played for both the college and the Ipswich Colts, and was selected for the Eastern Counties Under 18's for two consecutive years.”

After leaving school, LeRoux stayed on in Ipswich for a short time, playing matches for both the Ipswich Colts and seniors before heading back to his hometown, following a knee injury.

Last Saturday, before both the College 1st XV match and the Ipswich 1st XV, a minute's silence was held in memory of a young player with a wealth of potential before him.

He will be sadly missed by his rugby fraternity and all who came into contact with him.