- Player collapsed in training
- He died on the way to the hospital
- Second tragedy that hits the club
The identity of the New South Wales rugby league player who tragically died in a training session this week has been revealed as father-of-four Blake Tisdell, as tributes pour in for the loving father, partner and teammate.
The Aberglasslyn Ants were holding a pre-season training session at their ground near Maitland when a 31-year-old player collapsed on Tuesday night. He died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
He is the second Ants player to die suddenly in the space of a year, after the club mourned the death of prop Brodie Pearson in 2023.
Teammate Alexa Blake has posted a heartbreaking tribute to Tisdell, describing how much she was looking forward to this year’s rugby league season.
“He loved the team very much. “I’m always very excited to get on the field and very happy to do it again,” she posted.
You all brought a lot to him. A feeling of brotherhood, a spark that was missing.
‘I am incredibly heartbroken right now. But I know I loved each and every one of you.
Father-of-four Blake Tisdell tragically died after a pre-season training session for the Aberglasslyn Ants in New South Wales.
Tisdell has been remembered as a loving partner, father, family member and teammate by the distraught community.
Family friend Tiah Selkrig launched a Gofundme account for Alexa and the children, reaching the initial goal of $10,000 in just a few days.
“Blake was a loving father, partner, son and companion,” she posted.
‘After his sudden passing, he left behind a beautiful young family. He was a loving father of 4 beautiful children, Azriella, Amaris, Kobee and Chase. He was also the breadwinner of the household, which will complicate things for his young family.’
Tisdell’s mother-in-law, Cathy Pulley, also led the tributes.
“RIP to the best son-in-law and the man who made my daughter happier than ever, Blake Tisdell, you were one in a million,” she posted.
A statement released by the club included a link to a Gofundme page to help his partner and four children.
‘You had a big heart, you made me a grandmother and I was proud that you called me mom. I know you’re looking down on us. I’ll make sure the girls know how much you loved them.
“We’ll never forget you until we meet again and go chase those Pokémon.”
Aberglasslyn RLFC also released a statement paying tribute to their fallen teammate, speaking of the pain the club was feeling after losing Pearson in 2023 and then Tisdell this week.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we find ourselves once again in an unimaginable situation.
“On Tuesday afternoon, February 13, while doing some very light exercises at our local field, Mckeachies Heaven found another angel,” the post read.
Watching the sun set over Mckeachies once again in the space of 8 months, mourning the loss of another brother is momentous.
It is the second tragedy to hit the club in 12 months after they lost prop Brodie Pearson.
The club retired all of its number 8 shirts for the prop during a round last season as a sign of respect for Brodie Pearson.
“Understandably, our players, friends and family are feeling very distraught and trying to piece together what can only be described as a living nightmare.
‘We thank NSW Fire and Rescue Ambulance Station 455 Rutherford and NSW Police for their assistance.
‘Blake not only leaves behind a loving partner, adoring family and lifelong friends, but also four beautiful children. If you can donate just a little, we ask that you do so through the official GofundMe that has been created.
“Hug an ant today, we’re doing it a little rough.”