Cam O’Connor - 1981 - 2024
With a profoundly heavy heart I am reporting the desperately sad news that Cam passed away peacefully on Monday morning, 26th February 2024.
He battled with his illness head on over a long period of time and showed such strength and stoicism in trying to get the better of it. I don’t think anyone in the world would have fought this horrible disease in the way he did and with such a positive mindset throughout. He was an incredible human being in this regard.
Cam joined Tabard RFC in the summer of 2008 from Rotherham Titans in south Yorkshire and made over 350 appearances for the club until he retired in 2022.
He is the longest serving captain of the club and skippered the 1st XV from 2008 until 2014. From 2015 until 2022 he became player/coach and from the point of his arrival until he retired his overall commitment and passion for Tabard was second to none.
He was a very talented back rower and as captain lead by example on the field. A strong ball carrier and with a clear sense of direction his no nonsense approach to the game benefitted the club immensely.
Respect from players, spectators and back-office staff at the club is immense and puts him into that Tabard legendary status.
Off the field Cam was an absolute gentleman. He had a very gentle, caring nature and a lovely cheeky smile that made him a very endearing individual.
For the past couple of years he was working for a social inclusion charity called School of Hard Knocks taking on the role of mentor and rugby coach for young students struggling to stay in mainstream education. The students loved Cam and he will be sorely missed by these schoolchildren.
As a New Zealander he was mad about rugby and his passion for the sport rubbed off on many young players coming through the ranks at Tabard. All will tell you that he was hugely inspirational and was an outstanding leader on the field.
He has been taken from us and his lovely young family ridiculously early and our hearts go out to Jo, his lovely wife and to Ava his beautiful daughter.
May you rest in peace Cam.
Ross Hopcroft
President
