Sam Newman Spinal Injury

Club, friends, family and the wider rugby community. It is with heavy hearts that we bring you the news that one of our own has sustained a severe injury this weekend. Many of us will know Sam Newman from his time as a Romsey youth player, graduating through to the colts side, before last year heading off to embark on his University life.

You will also know Baz Newman as Youth Chairman and current U13 coach, all after committing to many years of coaching as Sam progressed through the ranks. Some of you may also know Baz as a player (when fit) through vets, 2’s and occasional first team. You may not know that Baz, behind the scenes, also has carried out just about every other position the club has thrown his way.

At some point during Friday afternoon, while on tour in Ireland with his University team, Sam suffered a dreadful fall from height. He has sustained a fracture to his T12 vertebra, fractures to both hands, a dislocation to his left wrist and a fracture to his pelvis. He is currently in St James Hospital in Dublin awaiting a bed in the Spinal Unit where they hope to be able to operate on his back.

Sam is stable, conscious, and alert. He is also in considerable pain and immobilised on his back in a hospital bed. He has movement in his fingers and toes which I am told is great news, as is the pain he is currently in.

As a result, both Baz and Alice have flown out to Ireland to be with him and support him until the surgeons and medical staff can treat him and fly him home. This is not going to be, by any means, a quick process and Baz, Alice, Sam and family need our support to enable them to stay and help Sam through this tragic time in their lives.

I ask you all to give where you can to a family that has given so much to the Romsey Rugby community over the many years they have been part of the Romsey rugby family. Baz is not one to complain, he is not one to ask for help. In fact, he is most often the one dishing the help out. Can we please dig deep and give where we can to a family deep at the heart of the Club through, what is I am sure, every family’s worst nightmare. The funds will be used to support the family's travel and accommodation costs at this extremely challenging time so they can stay close to Sam.

Romsey Rugby Club has committed to matching all donations pound-for-pound up to £1,000.

Darren Buckley, Club Volunteer and Family Friend