Heath has received the very sad news from down under this week that dear friend of the club, Chris Layton has passed away unexpectedly back home in Australia.

Chris and his family moved to Sussex from Australia over ten years ago and he and his wife Jacqui quickly sought out the local rugby club where his boys could play and his family become integrated into the local community which they did in spades. He was a larger than life character who simply loved any type of sport and all that accompanies it but particularly rugby and cricket. He quickly went from parent supporter to assisting the coaching across the two age groups in which his sons Harry and Charlie were involved, bringing that no-nonsense Australian competitiveness whilst at the same time upholding the values of fair play and sportsmanship, a quality that he instilled in his boys.

He was hugely knowledgeable about the game and became a highly successful, if self appointed, kicking guru and would spend hours on the pitch helping boys perfect their technique. Whilst always wanting to compete hard on the pitch Chris was also a true clubman who was generous with his time and energy whether with age group teams within the club or by taking that moment to give individual encouragement and advice to players.

That passion about sport, whether watching, coaching or just talking about it was infectious and made him hugely popular with other parents, coaches and of course the players themselves who, would hang on his "say-it-as it-is " advice, occasionally laced with an antipodean obscenity, to inspire them both on and off the pitch. This club ethos was instilled into his sons, of whom he was immensely proud, evidenced by the regard they were held in by their peers and the various awards they received in their time at Heath.

Perhaps unsurprisingly Chris was a great tourist, and threw himself into the whole dressing up, kangaroo court, forfeits and other tour related shenanigans as well as barbarian style rugby with gusto, more than holding his own on the social side whilst ensuring the players were looked after, having a good time and educated in the ethos and global tradition of touring rugby. It is a shame that girls rugby has only recently come to Heath as there is no doubting that his daughter Lilly would have joined the family in embracing the love of rugby at Heath had it been available.

As well as community rugby Chris was a huge fan of the international game and always had an opinion and some light hearted banter for his Pom mates when Australia played and took the stick on trips to Twickenham with a characteristic shrug. When the family moved back to Australia four years ago a farewell cricket match between Heath RFC and Ansty Cricket Club (the Layton family's summer club of choice) saw Chris on an opposing team to his sons, a battle that will be well remembered as will the send off they were given, fitting for a family thought of with such affection by both clubs.

Chris continued to be part based in England with his work regularly returning to Sussex to play cricket but always asking after news of the rugby club and his friends. He was last over in February 2020 and had a day out with his rugby friends when he supported the Heath Clubhouse City Fundraising lunch in London before flying back home to be with his family in Australia during the pandemic.

Chris was one of life's characters who lived life to the full, always with a twinkle in his eye and a story to tell, and whose charisma shone through almost as strongly as his love of sport and for his family, with that rare ability to naturally connect with the kids as well as their parents - the Ansty Cricket Club v Heath Rugby Club annual cricket match will be held as an annual memorial game to Chris so we can smile at his memory - there is a lot to remember.

Our love and thoughts go out to Jacqui, Harry, Charlie and Lilly at this difficult time.

A celebration of life for Chris is being held in Sydney on Monday 9 May at 11.30am (2.30am UK time) and for those that knew him the service will be streamed on the following link https://vimeo.com/event/2091877

Pictured - Chris at Heath City lunch February 2020