Jay Lasscock
THE Queanbeyan community has been left in mourning after the sudden death of popular local footballer Jay Lasscock last Sunday night.
In the wake of his passing, the 24-year-old has been remembered as a loving husband and dedicated father-of-three who gave 100 per cent in everything he did.
"He was a young fella who was dedicated to his family, they were always number one to him," Lasscock's father-in-law Rob Gardiner told The Queanbeyan Age.
"It still hasn't really sunk in that we've lost him."
Widely regarded as one of the finest rugby league players in the region, Lasscock was a stalwart in the front row for the Queanbeyan Blues where he began his footy career as a junior in the under-6s.
He would go on to work his way through the Canberra Raiders development program before twice representing NSW Country in 2010 and 2011.
A minute's silence is expected to be observed preceding this weekend's Canberra Raiders Cup reserve grade semi-final between the Blues and the Queanbeyan Kangaroos in honour of Lasscock's memory.
Local clubs will also use the remaining rounds of the competition's finals series to fundraise for Lasscock's family, including his three young children Cooper, Mia and Harper. Lasscock's former coaches and teammates have paid their respects to the talented forward who many considered had the potential to represent at the highest level.
"He just needed a chance, one good off-season and he could have played [NRL], no risk about it," former coach Adam Doyle told The Canberra Times.
"It's absolutely terrible, absolutely tragic. He was a champion bloke and I still can't believe he's gone."
Queanbeyan Kangaroo coach Aaron Gorrell played alongside Lasscock in last year's ACT representative team and remembered a player as uncompromising on the field as he was approachable off it.
"[Jay] was the kind of bloke who left an imprint on anyone he had anything to do with," Gorrell said.
"He was just a genuine bloke, very easy to get along with and he's going to be sadly missed by a lot of people."
*Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
