EUAN Avery had always seen rugby has always been more than just a sport. Now, as a first year sports coaching and education student at Solent University, he is finding a new way to stay connected to the sport.
After being diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 2026, Euan was told he would never play rugby again. For someone who has played the sport for as long as he can remember, the news marked a huge change. However, rather than walking away from the sport for good, he has found a new purpose on the sidelines.
His love for the game has driven him to channel his passion into coaching, helping the universities rugby team develop their playing skills and understanding of the sport.
Euan can regularly be found watching from the sideline, offering advice, correcting technique and supporting his teammates wherever he can. Although he can no longer take to the pitch himself, his influence on the game continues.
His mother, who works for the NHS, recognised some of the signs and pushed for him to visit the doctors, helping him get a diagnosis.
Euan is now exploring treatment options available in Southampton, the United States or Dubai, but with the treatment not funded by the NHS, sponsorship or financial support for his family would be needed to cover the eyewatering price.
Despite the challenges he faces, rugby remains a constant in Euans’s life. He hopes to build a career in sports within public schools after graduating.
For now, his, his focus remains on the sport he loves. His journey is a reminder that while circumstances can change a player’s path, it does not have to end their place in the game.
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