AN AWARD has been unveiled by a rugby club in memory of a former player who tragically died at the age of 16 last year.
Ramarni Crosby from Frampton on Severn - known as Marni - was stabbed multiple times in Stratton Road, Gloucester, on December 15 last year. He died at the scene.
Ramarni was a keen rugby player who had been a member of Dursley Rugby Club since he was seven years old.
His coach during that time, James Luck, described him as 'a lovely lad who was well liked and respected by his teammates and coaches’.
The club are now remembering him by introducing a new award for young players - the Ramarni Crosby Memorial Award - which will be presented at the end of the next season.
Ramarni's rugby teammates raised more than £400 to purchase the commemorative cup, silver band, and engrave the trophy.
The ash plinth was donated by an anonymous local craftsman.
Nominated by the youth committee and coaches the player will be someone who has shown ‘resilience over adversity’ within the youth and minis section of the DRFC.
The club will be looking for a player who has: “Contributed positively to the ethos of the rugby family by showing resilience over adversity in personal and sporting lives and who has made exceptional progress within the rugby family.”
A spokesperson for the rugby club said: “It is hoped that the recipient of the Ramarni Crosby Memorial Award would benefit from such an award in progressing with the framework of the teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship that Ramarni himself gained so much from in his time with us.”
Ramarni was previously described by his family as having ‘a heart of gold’.
In a police statement they said: “We are absolutely devastated and cannot fathom the cruel and senseless way in which Ramarni’s life was taken.
“We have been robbed of his future and our lives will never be the same.
“His loss will be felt every second of every day, with every birthday, anniversary and other occasion becoming a painful reminder of the brilliant young man that we have lost.”
Dean Smith, 19 and seven teenagers who cannot be named for legal reasons are accused of Ramarni's murder.
They have been on trial at Bristol Crown Court since mid-June, but the case has been postponed due to the judge's illness.
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