Women’s rugby international aged 20 is killed in car crash
A WELSH rugby international has died in a car crash.
Elli Norkett, 20, was the youngest player in the 2014 Rugby World Cup.
She was driving a Toyota Yaris when it was in collision with a Vauxhall Insignia in Neath Port Talbot, south Wales, at 7.40pm on Saturday.
Last night Miss Norkett’s family paid tribute to her as ‘loved and valued by many’.
The tribute said: ‘Elli Norkett was a kind-hearted and caring 20-year-old final year student at Cardiff Met University, studying sport development.
‘She was the youngest player in the Rugby World Cup and had gained four Welsh senior caps at the age of 17. Elli also represented Wales at Sevens and was selected for the Great Britain Students Sevens.
‘On the club front, she was proud to represent Swansea Ladies and the Ospreys. At Cardiff Met she played in two British Universities and Colleges Sports finals at Twickenham and wanted to pursue a career in coaching the game she loved.
‘Elli was loved and valued by many and has touched the hearts of all her family and friends due to her kind nature and endearing personality.’ Miss Norkett, from Llandarcy, near Neath, was fatally injured in the crash, which happened on the A4109, Inter Valley Road, between Banwen and Glynneath.
A 42-year- old woman driving the Vauxhall and a 12-year-old girl, who was a passenger, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. South Wales Police are investigating.
In a statement, the Ospreys paid tribute to Miss Norkett, who was a winger. ‘A proud Osprey, rugby was her life and she was immensely proud to represent Swansea Ladies, Ospreys Women, Wales Women and Wales Sevens, as well as Cardiff Met University and Great Britain Students Sevens,’ it said.
‘At just 20-years old, she had her whole life in front of her. Not only was she a talented rugby player she was a good human being, probably the most important thing about her.’
A spokesman for the Welsh Rugby Union said: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Elli Norkett. A talented, dedicated player and popular team-mate, Elli was a treasured member of the Welsh rugby family.’
‘She was loved and valued by many’