The Maitland rugby league community is in mourning after the sudden death of one of its own.
Harry Hofman, 19, died on Tuesday from suspected heart failure after collapsing at his family home in Beresfield.
Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and he died at the Mater Hospital in Newcastle about 4pm.
An autopsy is under way to determine the exact cause of death.
Family, friends and Maitland Pickers teammates gathered yesterday and paid tribute to a much-loved son, brother, player and respected member of the community.
“He was very loved, a very genuine person,” Harry’s cousin Shanel said.
“He touched people in so many ways with his cheeky personality and his love of his mates, family and sport.
“There are no words to describe our sadness, but I will live every minute of my life for us.”
Harry, a member of the Maitland Pickers reserve grade squad this year, had played touch football on Monday night and felt ill afterwards, but news of his death less than 24 hours later came as a shock to all.
“The kids are shattered,” Pickers president Frank Lawler said.
“[Harry] played touch on Monday and was a little crook, but everyone said hooroo as normal and get well. You don’t expect that, especially a young kid who is so fit and healthy.
“It’s bad enough when it’s an older person, but not when you’re 19 years old.”
Incoming Pickers first grade coach Noel Dent, who looked after the club’s under 18s this year, said Harry was impressive both on and off the field and had a bright future.
He was a great kid,” Dent said. “He was polite, well-mannered and just a lovely boy. On the field he could play anywhere from back-row to wing.
“He really blossomed in the last two years and he probably would have played at Maitland all his life and been a really strong club man. It’s just devastating.”
Harry, who was part of the Pickers under-18 minor premiership-winning grand final side last year, started playing rugby league at Beresfield juniors and 12 months ago sat his Higher School Certificate at All Saints College, St Mary’s Campus, Maitland.
Online tributes for Harry have flowed.
“From a Bero Bear junior to a Picker – a great young kid to an even better young man,” Susan Creasey-Gonzalez said on Facebook.
Nahuel Mieres agreed: “Will be so sadly missed Harry, you were a great footballer but before that you were a great person.”
Family, friends and teammates were at the Mater Hospital when Harry died and many gathered at East Maitland Bowling Club that night to remember him.
The Hofman family expressed sincere thanks to the messages of support from the community and for the efforts of medical staff who attempted to revive Harry.
Funeral arrangements are still being made, but a service is expected to take place early next week.
The Pickers were scheduled to hold their presentation on Saturday night.
