Vale Kurt Drysdale

Kurt Drysdale of Stanwell Tops has died at the age of 31 after contracting pneumonia.

Kurt was a rugby league star on the rise when, in June 2015 at the age of 20, he suffered a devastating spinal injury and was left a quadriplegic after being tackled while playing for the Cabramatta Two Blues in the Ron Massey Cup competition. 

Up to then Kurt had played for the Helensburgh Tigers, attended Endeavour Sports High School and played as a junior at the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the U17 Harold Matthews Cup and the U19 SG Ball Cup before being selected in the Sharks’ U20s squad for the NRL’s then National Youth Competition in 2014.

After his catastrophic injury, Kurt was rushed to Westmead Hospital, then to the state's premier spinal injury treatment centre at Royal North Shore Hospital. He was later transported to Wollongong Hospital before eventually returning to Stanwell Tops to live in a new house, built on the site of the original Drysdale family home by his family (mum Sonya, dad Steve, sister Skye and brother Blake), close family friends, local 2508 residents and the wider sporting public. The house was specially designed to help Kurt navigate his new life-changing challenges as a ventilated quadriplegic who required full-time care. 

Kurt remained busy throughout his life post-injury, improving his plumbing skills (he was an apprentice when he was injured), committing to a gruelling rehab schedule, learning how to fly a drone, and attending numerous fund-raisers through the years.

He was a Cure Crusader Ambassador for The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation, which fondly remembered him in a Facebook post: “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.

“May he rest in peace.”

Kurt was an inspiration to many people and he has been remembered by numerous clubs in the Illawarra and beyond.

Helensburgh Tigers Junior Rugby League Football Club, where Kurt began his rugby league career at age seven, said: "Helensburgh JRLFC is saddened to hear of the passing of local Kurt Drysdale. Our thoughts are with his family at this time."

Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club honoured Kurt, saying his "courage, determination, and kindness left a lasting mark on our community".

The club's tribute continued: "After joining in 2012, Kurt became a valued member of our surf lifesaving family. In 2015, he faced a life-changing spinal injury, yet his resilience continued to inspire all who knew him.

"Kurt brought people together and left a legacy of compassion, perseverance, and unity. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends; his spirit will always be part of our Club."

The Cronulla Sharks have described Kurt as "a classy dummy half", "a courageous figure" and "an inspiration to many".

"The Sharks offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Kurt Drysdale," the club's statement read.

Kurt's former school mates, including Alex Johnston, and teammates including now retired Cronulla Sharks utility Billy Magoulias and retired Parramatta back-rower Shaun Lane, were among his long-time friends.

"Kurt was a genuinely beautiful human, he was fun-loving, caring and kind," Lane told the Daily Mail in an interview. "I have so many great memories that we have shared over the last 20 years and I'll be forever grateful to have had such a loving friend in my life.

"I will miss my mate.”

The Illawarra Flame extends our sincere condolences to Kurt's mother Sonya, father Steve, sister Skye and brother Blake.