Liam Hampson has been remembered as a wonderful young man and outstanding footballer who made a positive difference in the lives of all the people he touched.
Hampson, 24, died in tragic circumstances after a fall in a Spanish nightclub three weeks ago, and his life was celebrated at a public service attended by 1000 family members and friends at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe on Monday.
Hampson played rugby league for the Redcliffe Dolphins and this year was a key figure in the club’s surge to the Hostplus Cup grand final.
Gold Coast Titans playmaker AJ Brimson and Brisbane Broncos forward Jordan Riki were pallbearers at Hampson’s service. They were together on tour with their close friend in Spain before he died.
Dolphins NRL coach Wayne Bennett and Melbourne Storm winger Xavier Coates were also in attendance.
Hampson’s Redcliffe coach Scott Murray remembered Hampson as “a wonderful young man who helped a lot of people”.
“I don’t how many times I walked into the change room and thought I may have had a tough day but if Liam was in the room everything was OK,” Murray told reporters.
“He just had that personality that was able to light everyone up. He was just fun to be around. Everyone enjoyed being in his company.”
Hampson had NRL aspirations and the talented hooker was on the cusp of realising his dream.
PHOTO: AAP Image/Darren England
“He certainly deserved that opportunity the way he was playing for us,” Murray said.
“When he came on the field he made a difference. He was a real X-factor for us. He was one of the big reasons why we did so well this year.”
Murray said Hampson also made a wonderful impact as a teacher’s aide at Redcliffe State High School.
“We have a rugby league excellence program at Redcliffe State High and he was able to mix with 13-year-olds and 18-year-olds,” he said.
“He was amazing with the way he was able to connect with the young people and provide support for those who needed it.”
PHOTO: AAP Image/Darren England
Redcliffe Dolphins captain Cameron Cullen said Hampson would “leave a big hole” in the lives of all who knew him.
“He was very loved across our whole club, the playing group and the community,” Cullen said.
“The Dolphins are a club with a rich history and his legacy will last here forever.”
Murray said the death of Hampson was hard to accept.
“You wake up sometimes and you think, ‘Did it really happen?’ I don’t know whether it has really sunk in for us all,” he said.
“We are really going to miss him.”
© AAP 2022
