Halley's legacy lives on

2016 marks five years since the Queensland Rugby community was rocked by the tragic loss of rising University of Queensland hooker Halley Appleby.

On July 16 2011, the budding young prospect ran onto the field at Yoku Road to take on GPS, and unfortunately never had the opportunity to run off.

Halley was a talented young player who was popular at the University club, as well as St. Joseph’s Nudgee College, where he attended high school, and his junior Rugby club Noosa Dolphins.

Halley’s memory lives on at University through the Halley Appleby Memorial Trophy, which the Red Heavies and GPS play for every time that meet at Yoku Road.

This weekend the trophy will be up for grabs, but from the group of premier players who where there in 2011, none remain in the current University squad.

The Red Heavies have always produced some of the most talented young players in the competition and their current line-up is indicative of that. Stalwarts such as Tim Buchanan, Will Thompson and Sam Cochrane who played alongside Halley are long gone, but assistant coach Cameron McIntosh believes that the meaning of the trophy and Halley’s legacy still resonates with the new crop of players.

“I think the emotion behind this weekend still carries a lot of meaning for the team, we speak about it every year throughout the club as a whole,” McIntosh said.

“It was a traumatic experience but it a galvanised a group of people together. The legacy is passed on year-to-year and it provides the club with an opportunity to reflect back on Halley as an individual, as well as why we all love Rugby and why we play the game.

“Even though it’s a new young group of players, they channel the emotion of the day and we will continue to engrain the importance of the event each year as a club throughout the entire player base.”

McIntosh is one of a number of coaches and support staff who have been at the club since prior to the incident in 2011. While five years have passed, he is still reminded of the event on July 16 every time he pulls into the GPS car park.

“Anytime you head to Yoku Road it all comes flooding back, it is hard to believe it has been five years. Sometimes it feels like it only happened yesterday and at other times it feels like a long time ago.”

Halley’s parents, Gary and Sue, remain involved in the Halley Appleby Memorial Trophy clash as well as the memorial ball. Halley’s friends and family have banded together to also host an annual gala ball in Halley’s memory, to help raise money for the Hearts in Union charity, who assist players who have suffered severe spinal injuries.

“Halley’s parents are still heavily involved with the organisation of the ball each year. While for the game this weekend. While for the game this weekend, both Gary and Sue present the trophy to the winning team. They were down at the club during the week, they truly are great people who are always good to catch up with,” McIntosh said.

As well as the memorial ball, the University club has also introduced the Halley Appleby memorial scholarship which helps provide assistance to a young apprentice within the club’s playing ranks.

While this Saturday will be a sad day for McIntosh and many others, he cherishes the opportunity to celebrate an exceptional club man and mate in Halley.

“It’s a hard day but it means a lot to celebrate Halley. It’s amazing that one person’s legacy can be carried on and we celebrate him and his ongoing impact on the club. It’s great to be able to share that as a whole club, as well as with GPS and the Noosa Dolphins who remain involved in all our initiatives each year.

“it’s a great display of the wider Rugby community coming together.”