A JERSEY basketball player died after collapsing on the court during a match against Guernsey.
Guillaume Hoareau suffered a cardiac arrest in the game at Fort Regent on Saturday and died in hospital a short time later.
The match was abandoned and spectators were asked to leave while the emergency services worked on the player, who was married and had a young family.
The Jersey Basketball Association said Mr Hoareau had been “fit” and “healthy” and was not known to have any underlying health problems.
In a statement, which the JBA said it had shared with the permission of Mr Hoareau’s family, Paul Milbank, the association’s president, said: “The loss of Guillaume is a terrible shock to us all.
“G was a pivotal part of our basketball community. He was an inspiration and mentor to both our senior and junior players.
“He was passionate about basketball and improving the game in the Island. He proudly represented Jersey at the Island Games and alongside the kids that he coached.
“Beyond his official roles, G was our friend, our brother, and the lifeblood of our community. His energy, passion and huge spirit have given us so much enjoyment and pride over so many years.
“We wish to express our sincere condolences to his wife and young family, who we will do everything we can to support during this sad time.
“We also pass on our deepest sympathies to his wider family, friends and colleagues at RBC.”
The association said that as a mark of respect to Mr Hoareau, who was also the mini’s lead coach, all training sessions have been cancelled until after half term to allow coaching team time “to process the loss of their dear friend and colleague”.
