TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘brave and inspiring’ rugby player who has died aged just 28.

Keen sportsman Julian Quick was well respected both on the pitch, as the former captain of Weymouth RFC first XV, and off the pitch, when he spoke out about his battle with cancer.

He died late on Saturday night.

His father Des Quick, president of Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club, said the family had been inundated with messages of support.

He said: “The words people have been using are sociable, generous, brave, kind-hearted, positive, caring, determined, upbeat, courageous, a real gentleman. It’s been great to have that support.

“We had some great years together.”

Julian was a pupil at All Saints and started playing rugby for Weymouth and Portland RFC aged just seven. He rose to become what Des described as the first team’s ‘inspirational captain’. Julian also played youth rugby for Dorset county and played for Exeter University’s first team, during his time there.

But while rugby was a first love, Julian was an all-round sports star. He studied A Levels at Yeovil College and, during this time, tried out for the youth Great Britain skeleton team, even taking on the Innsbrucker circuit in Austria.

He also completed the Three Peaks Challenge and was a keen sailor.

But aged 26, Julian felt a pain in his shoulder that he initially put down to a sports injury. Tests revealed he had a rare bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma.

Des said: “We had been going through a battle with it ever since. It was a hard slog for two years but he has been so positive.

“He went on a very strict diet to do everything he could to try and help the conventional medicine. 
“Obviously, we are devastated.”

After the diagnosis, Julian started a blog to chart his journey, writing that he would ‘have to learn to accept my new limitations, although I will always be challenging them’. He also wrote of his hope that his story would help anyone who could relate to it.

As well as the blog, Julian recorded videos for cancer charities and spoke out about the need for more people to talk openly about cancer, as reported by the Dorset Echo.

In a statement on their Facebook page, Dorchester Rugby Club wrote: “Dorchester Rugby Club offer their heartfelt condolences to Julian Quick's family, friends and team mates after hearing the very sad news of the passing of the former first XV captain at Weymouth and Portland RFC.

“Rest in peace Julian.

Rugby is family.”