One year on, ‘we think of our Elli every day’
THE father of Welsh international rugby player Elli Norkett has paid tribute to his daughter on the first anniversary of her death.
Elli died after her car crashed on the A4109 Inter Valley Road between Banwen and Glynneath last year.
The 20-year-old, from Llandarcy, in Neath, played rugby for various women’s teams including the Ospreys and Cardiff Met, and was a Wales international with four caps to her name. She was also the youngest player at the 2014 World Cup, at the age of just 17, and also represented Wales at Sevens, being selected for the Great Britain Students side. On the club front she represented Swansea Ladies and the Ospreys.
Her father Kim Norkett says Elli’s room has been left as it was.
“It’s just been numb,” he said. “We think of her every day. She is always there. We want to remember her always. She was an exceptionally happy, outgoing and caring person and that gives us comfort.”
Since Elli’s death, a new member has also been added to the family and her younger sister, Lowri, has moved back home.
“The family are really close,” Mr Norkett added. “Lowri is back home now too so we are together. About a week after Elli’s death, we bought a puppy – a cockapoo called Rolo – which has been great. Pets can really bring you happiness in difficult times.”
Mr Norkett has also been supported by the rugby community, which displayed a mass outpouring of grief when Elli died.