The New Zealand rugby league community is mourning the loss of Eugene Hanna, who passed away at the age of 30 after suffering an 'unsurvivable' injury during a match earlier this month.
Tragic Incident on the Field
Hanna, a player for the Glenora Bears Premier Reserves side, was injured during the opening game of the season on May 2 against the Te Atatū Roosters in West Auckland. He was rushed to hospital and remained under care for approximately 10 days before tragically dying on Tuesday.
Club chairwoman Janet Hunt confirmed the news in a statement, describing Hanna as a valued member of the squad who had quickly formed strong bonds within the team despite being a recent addition. 'Eugene sustained an injury in the team's first game of the season… which was tragically unsurvivable,' she said. 'There are not enough words to express the unimaginable loss and grief.'
Multisport Talent Remembered
Hanna was a talented athlete who also played Australian Rules football and association football for clubs in New Zealand. He played football for Lynn-Avon United AFC and Whangamata Football Club, with former teammates describing him as a 'brilliant player' and 'kind-hearted person'. One teammate posted: 'Unbelievable. What a lovely lad; funny, cheeky good looking man. Really sad to wake up to this. Privileged to play with him.' Another added: 'Eugene was a legend. He was such a lovely guy. So sad and heartbreaking. I feel I lost a family member.'
Hanna also played Aussie Rules for the Waitakere Magpies. The club posted: 'A player that had respect across the league for his hard running play style, but was a great character off the field that brought a lot of laughs and entertainment throughout the squad and league. The two time and current Magpies 'Players Playah' leaves a big hole in our hearts, but will leave his legacy to live on with a massive highlight of kicking the game winning goal in the 2016 AAFL grand final for the Magpies.'
Response and Protocols
Teammates, opponents, and medical staff have been acknowledged, with the club thanking those who assisted at the scene, as well as paramedics and Auckland Hospital staff for their efforts during his treatment. The New Zealand Rugby League reiterated strict concussion and head injury protocols following the tragic incident. 'We are deeply saddened that one of our rugby league whānau, Eugene Hanna of the Glenora Bears, has tragically passed away,' the NZRL posted. 'First and foremost, we send our sincere condolences to his whānau, friends, teammates, and all who knew and loved Eugene in such a difficult time. This is truly heartbreaking and something we never want to see happen. ARL have been offering support to the family and all involved and will continue to work alongside our Clubs and NZRL through this.'
The NZRL emphasised the importance of player safety: 'ARL places the utmost importance on player safety and welfare and work hard to prevent such tragic outcomes. We have rigorous head injury and concussion protocols in place and work with our rugby league community to ensure appropriate resources and education are provided year-round. We urge anyone who sustains a head injury or experiences any symptoms to follow the guidelines in place, seek the appropriate medical advice and treatment, and only return to play when advised and appropriate.'
Tributes continue to flow across the New Zealand sporting community as investigations and formal reviews into match safety protocols remain ongoing.
