SYDNEY, Australia - Promising young rugby league player Kurt Drysdale, who suffered a devastating injury in a Sydney Shield game in June of 2015, which resulted in him becoming a quadriplegic, has died.

Kurt, who was described as a boom talent at the time of his injury, turned out for the Cronulla Sharks in 13 NYC Holden Cup games, and six VB NSW Cup fixtures in 2014. Prior to that he played for Endeavour Sports High School, and starred in Sharks Matthews Cup and SG Ball teams before being named in the Sharks NYC squad for the 2014 season. In 2015, prior to his injury, he played 4 games in the Ron Massey Cup, and five in the Sydney Shield. 

Playing for the Cabramatta Two Blues against the Wentworthville Magpies on Sunday 7 June 2015, the young hooker was injured in a tackle. It was immediately apparent he was seriously injured and the game was suspended while an ambulance was called. He was rushed to Westmead Hospital where it was established his C5 vertebra had become twisted and had snapped. There were a number of other C6 fractures. Arrangements were made for him to be airlifted by helicopter to the state's premier spinal injury treatment centre at Royal North Shore Hospital where surgeons were standing by to operate on him.

For weeks, months, and then years after the June 7 injury, the young player remained on a respirator, unable to breathe on his own. It remained the case until his death.

Kurt's mother and father, Sonya and Steve Drysdale, who were in the grandstand at the time of the injury; brother Blake, a state surf lifesaving champion; and sister Skye remained at his bedside. The family live in Stanwell Tops, just north of Wollongong. Kurt and his brother Blake were prominent members of the Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Lifesaving Club. Both won gold medals in state titles.

"He was at that stage where he could have made it to the NRL, but right now I just want him walking," Sonya Drysdale told the Illawarra Mercury days after the injury." It wasn't to be.

Kurt, an apprentice plumber, received support from the local community, the NRL, the NSWRL, the Cronulla Sharks, the Cabramatta Two Blues, the Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC, and Ziems Butchers in Corrimal, the workplace of his dad Steve - as well as a number of legendary rugby league players, most prominent among whom was Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns. Funds were raised by a plethora of local, and rugby league community organisations, a GoFundMe campaign. A major fundraising effort through Channel 9's A Current Affair,  and Rotary International, enabled the family to completely re-build their Stanwell Tops home, modified to cater for Kurt''s treatment and endurance of his life-changing injury. 

The Cabramatta Two Blues, linked to the Cronulla Sharks through an association with the Sharks feeder club, the Newtown Jets, have produced an array of rugby league champions including former Eels legend Jarryd Hayne.

"Cabramatta have endured a tough day at the office, losing both grades in the Round 4 catch up with the Wentworthville Magpies. More concerning was a sickening injury to boom young hooker Kurt Drysdale who was taken to hospital with a neck injury. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kurt and his family," a tweet posted by Cabramatta Rugby League on the day of the game in which Kurt was injured was posted that night. Kurt's side lost 38-18.

"The thoughts and prayers of all concerned at the Sharks are with Kurt Drysdale and his family after his tragic accident over the weekend," the Cronulla-Sharks posted in their Twitter (now X) page..

"Kurt, a Sharks district junior, former Endeavour High School student and a member of our NYC under-20's squad in 2014, suffered a serious neck injury while playing for Cabramatta last weekend."

"The Sharks will attempt to update the many friends and former teammates as to his condition as soon as official word is given," the Cronulla Sharks tweet said

"We understand he is receiving the best possible treatment at Royal North Shore Hospital and wish him the best possible outcome and recovery."

Young Kirk surpassed his 21st birthday in Royal North Shore Hospital. This year he turned 31. Two weeks ago he contracted pneumonia, and died Monday.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of our much loved and cherished Cure Crusader Ambassador Kurt Drysdale," the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, said in a statement Monday. "His cheeky grin and kind, caring personality brought so much joy to everyone who knew him. He will be greatly missed by all of us at the Foundation."

"We extend our heartfelt condolences his parents, Sonya and Steve, his family, and everyone who loved him during this incredibly difficult time. May he rest in peace," the statement said.

Related stories:

Channel 9 and Rotary get behind Kurt Drysdale

Cronulla Sharks and Melbourne Storm to do battle for Kurk Drysdale

Kurt Drysdale and Cabramatta Two Blues doing it tough

Sydney rugby league rookie Kurt Drysdale still in intensive care

Promising Sydney rugby league player a quadriplegic