CAMELFORD Rugby Football Club have paid a glowing tribute to club president and founder Nic Osborne (pictured) who died in a lawnmower accident at Trethevy near Tintagel earlier this month.

Nic, 60, who was also a long-time member of Kings Norton near Birmingham, left a lasting impression wherever he went, whether it was in rugby circles or in his role as a teacher.

In a club statement, Camelford said: “On Monday, July 1, Camelford Rugby Club heard the tragic news about the loss of our president Nic Osborne. Nic however was more than just our club president, he was the clubs heartbeat, and its soul. He was one of our founders, our friend and mentor and Nic meant so much to us all.

“In 2008, Nic and a few like-minded passionate rugby fans decided to set up a rugby club in Camelford. Over the next 11 years Nic was the inspiration that drove Camelford Rugby Club forward, from that original idea in the pub to its first games. Then through all the challenges and achievements involved in establishing and growing a new club, to make it what exists now, a thriving rugby club in Cornwall with the values and spirit of rugby at it’s core. 

“Nic, alongside many others, came out of playing retirement to start the ball rolling in that first game in 2008. Playing many times from then on and still playing late into his 50s because of the love he had for the rugby and his passion to see the club and his team-mates succeed. Every club Camelford played knew Nic fondly, he always welcomed them to Camelford and took so much interest in who they were. 

“Nic took on the role of chairman and then club president when playing regularly was no longer an option, and he also coached the team regularly. He was an ambassador for the club, taking the story and aspiration of our club around the county and wherever he travelled around the world. Every Camelford player and supporter would see his drive and passion for rugby and Camelford RFC from the first training session they attended or game they watched. As soon as you met Nic you felt lucky and enjoyed spending time in his company on and off the pitch, he had time for everyone.  He had a warmth and attitude that captivated everyone and it meant many of us spent time with him when we should have long gone home! 

“Camelford RFC owes its roots to Nic, who worked tirelessly to first set the club and then to keep it going for ten years. Nic always kept an upbeat and driven attitude towards how the club was getting on, whether we were losing or winning, the attitude passed down from Nic was ‘Win or lose, have a beer’.

“He wanted the club to embrace what rugby was about to him, friendship and doing something you enjoyed with friends. He was the man everyone looked up to for his attitude, his willingness to always do what he could for the club, from his fantastically in-depth match reports (something every player always aimed to get a mention in) to keeping the morale high at tough times, and representing the club at the Cornwall RFU.”

Nic’s tales are endless as they explain.

“We all have so many fantastic memories of Nic Osborne, whether on or off the playing field.  He was always a character full of fun and laughter but with such determination.

“His last game around four years ago was to help his team-mates out, when during a game we lost a few players through injury, we turned and saw Nic come sprinting back from his car fully kitted up to join us and bringing back the diving spin pass.

“His love for Camelford RFC never diminished, neither did his drive to push the club forward in every way.

“He will be so sorely missed. He was a massively loved man and centre of our club who was a close friend of every player, member and supporter of Camelford RFC.  He is already missed so deeply. We are all immeasurably better for knowing Nic.”