Tributes Paid To ‘Wonderfully Gifted’ Former England Rugby Player Tom Voyce

England head coach Steve Borthwick has paid tribute to the “exceptionally talented” former international Tom Voyce, who tragically died after being swept away while attempting to drive across a swollen river last weekend.

 

 

The 43-year-old former winger’s car was carried away while crossing a ford on the River Aln near Alnwick, Northumberland, during Storm Darragh. After several days of extensive searching, his body was discovered several hundred meters downstream on Thursday.

 

 

 

Borthwick, who played alongside Voyce for England, expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Tom Voyce, a wonderfully gifted rugby player and a genuinely kind man. Tom left a lasting impact on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him and created memories that will remain with all who watched him play. On behalf of everyone at England Rugby, we extend our deepest condolences to Tom’s family, friends, and loved ones. Our thoughts are with them during this incredibly difficult time.”

 

 

 

Borthwick’s tribute adds to the outpouring of support from across the rugby world, including World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio.

 

 

Voyce earned nine caps for England during his career and spent six years with Wasps from 2003 to 2009, helping the club secure both European and domestic titles. He also played for Bath and Gloucester, making 220 Premiership appearances before retiring in May 2013.

 

 

 

Voyce’s wife, Anna, shared a statement expressing the family’s gratitude for the overwhelming support they’ve received. She said, “Absolutely devastated and heartbroken doesn’t even describe how we feel. My main focus now is our son Oscar, having done what he asked, ‘find Daddy.’ All of Tom’s family were involved in the search. I will be forever grateful to my brothers Hugh and Jamie, Aidan Philipson, and Garry Whitfield for coordinating the search party alongside the police teams.

 

 

Tom would be blown away by the amount of people who helped. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support of friends, many traveling from far away to assist with the search. We are just so fortunate to live in such a special community that came together to find Tom.”

 

 

 

 

She also shared the pride Oscar feels for his father, describing Tom as the best father and role model a child could have. Anna highlighted Tom’s active involvement in Alnwick Rugby Club, where he was loved by his son’s under-sevens team, which he coached with great enthusiasm.

 

 

 

 

She continued, “Tom was fully immersed in Alnwick Rugby Club and was much loved by Oscar’s under-sevens team, which he coached with gusto, giving back to the game that gave him so much. With his big warm smile, passion, and funny stories, he loved nothing more than sitting around a table chatting with family and friends. Tom was proud of his rugby memories and, as an adopted ‘Northumbrian’ local, he leaves a hole in so many of our hearts.”