Wellington grieves for one of its own

Rugby league forward Chris Thompson who had battled for 5 weeks with life threatening injuries in Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney passed away in the late hours. An accident in Geurie when he ran into a tree had caused debilitating injuries mostly to his head. A coroner’s inquiry is still going on into the final causes of the accident.

Team manager Roy AhSee of the Nanima Common Connection rugby league team said the death of Mr Thompson had cut through his side deeply and they remembered how fragile life was and football was just that, sport.

‘’ The players were upset about Chris’s passing and they wanted to pay their condolences to his family and remember him as a great mate and a footballer with such great passion’’ he said.  The Nanima side named after the birthplace of many of the local players won that match. ‘’ They did it for Chris’’ Mr AhSee said.

Yesterday Chrystal Thompson, who spent five weeks by her husband's side after the accident told Daily Liberal Sports editor Ben Walker she is thankful for the support the family has received during their ordeal.

"Chris lived for his kids. Family was everything to him, and we've had so much support during all of this that he would have been happy to know his kids were getting looked after," she said.

"I was with him down in Sydney for 36 days but we chose for the kids to not see Chris. He looked like he was sleeping but we didn't want their last vision of him being in a hospital bed with tubes and everything so we kept them trying to live as normal a life as possible while everything was going on.

"The hard part is when they ask if we can get a rocket and go to the stars to get him, or ask if he has a phone up there so we can call him.

"At the moment they're probably too young to fully realise what has happened but we keep re-assuring them that even though daddy isn't here any more he loves them and will look after them.

"All Chris ever wanted was for his kids to be educated and Alaqua starts school at one of the Catholic schools next year. That will be a tough day but he would be so proud."

Due to the long weekend and the need for a report to be prepared for the coroner, a date for Mr Thompson's funeral has not been confirmed as yet.

The outpouring of grief over Mr Thompson’s passing saturated social media and Wellington’s rugby league president Trent McQuillan said the local rugby league will never be forgotten.

‘’What a terribly sad day it has been. The loss of our "Brother" Chris Thompson. On behalf of myself and the Wellington Cowboys I offer my deepest condolences to Youngen (his mother) , Alan, Scott, Nathan his "Twin brother", Kyle, Sharria and Bradley, Chris' wife Chrystal and especially those 3 beautiful kids Chris has left his mark on. I can only imagine what you are all going through and we are here for you every step of the way. It is a cruel world which always has us searching for answers.’’ Mr McQuillan said

‘’I can still picture the day, (in this photo) that Chris signed that clearance form to come back to his "spiritual" home, his beloved Cowboys. Although you spent a couple of years away from here, you always made it crystal clear where your heart lay. Everyone was so happy to have you back "home" and you played some great footy with your "brothers" and typically gave it your all each & every week.’’ he said

‘’It is has been a very difficult few weeks for everyone since that tragic day. You have fought & fought every day since that day. You went out fighting & giving it 100% like you did with everything else in your life.’’ Mr McQuillan said.

‘’One thing is for sure that you will never be forgotten. Next year we will play in your honour and we will carry your photo and name on our jersey, so you will be with us every step of the way. In the off season we will make sure that we instill in to everyone, all those little things you use to speak of to make sure that we honour you in the best way possible.

Taken way too soon’’ he said. Mr Thompson’s wife Chrystal  thanked those who had supported her family over the harrowing and cruel times she said.

Mr Thompson had re-signed for the Wellington in 2014 determined to take them all the way but before the Qualifying final his accident ended all that, it was game over . “I am here to complete unfinished business and taking my home town to the grand final,” he said at the time.

“We made the 2010 grand final and we can do it again this year.

“I love Wellington, all my mates are here and my brothers. While I have played for Dubbo Cyms and Macquarie my heart is right here.”

Mr Thompson was an accomplished rugby league player who plays for the Wellington Cowboys.

A former Group 11 representative, Mr Thompson’s achievements include lining up in the Tier 2 Country Championship-winning side in 2012.

He was also part of the Macquarie side that won the 2008 Group 11 premiership and the CYMS side that won it in 2011.

In 2013, Mr Thompson was named Best and Fairest for Group 11 as awarded by referees.