TWO local rugby teams have come together to celebrate the life of the late Olly Stephens and raise money for a local special needs charity.
The inaugural Olly Stephens Memorial Cup saw under 14s teams from Reading Rugby Club and Reading Abbey RFC battle it out at Holme Park in Sonning on Saturday, March 5.
Holme Park, home of Reading Rugby Club
It was organised both to remember rugby fan Olly and to raise money for Parenting Special Children, a charity that supports adults to look after their neurodiverse youngsters.
Olly, who was diagnosed with autism, was tragically murdered aged just 13 at Bugs Bottom in Emmer Green in January 2021.
Speaking before the Under 14s match got underway, Olly’s father Stuart Stephens said: “They [Parenting Special Children] helped support us with Olly’s needs, now it’s our turn to support them.
Reading Abbey and Reading Rugby Club line up at the start of the game
“Olly was our son, he had so much to live for, was so loved and is missed every minute of every day by his family and friends.
“He was tragically taken from us in a moment of sheer and utter madness by children his own age.
“Life can be so cruel sometimes.
“But we will not dwell on this. We are here to remember and celebrate the boy we lost and the future we miss.
Both teams battle it out
“I am sure Olly would have loved to have been here supporting Ben, his long-time friend, possibly playing alongside him, participating in the match, well maybe being the ball boy at a push!”
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Stuart Stephens thanked a number of people for their efforts in organising the event.
He thanked Craig Hunter for sponsoring the trophy, the Berkshire Trophy Centre for free engraving of the trophy, Stuart Spindler, Andy Arter and Jason Ress for helping to arrange the match, Abbey RFC for participating and Matt Gander, Shelley Hosgood and Reading Rugby Club for making the event possible.
The Olly Stephens Memorial Cup
He added: “Lastly, we would like to give a special mention and thank you to Ben Gander for being Olly’s friend throughout primary school and beyond.”
The game was watched by dozens of onlookers including friends and family of Olly Stephens.
It finished 17-14 to Reading Rugby Club with Ben Gander scoring a try for the home team.
Man of the match for Reading was Ben Bridge and Harry Waldron was Abbey's man of the match.
Reading Rugby Club pose for a picture at the end of the game
After the game, Ben collected the Olly Stephens Memorial Cup on behalf of Reading Rugby Club.
The trophy is inscribed with a message that reads: “In memory of our precious boy Olly. Love laughter and friendship. Gone from our lives but forever in our hearts.”
The engraving on the Olly Stephens Memorial Cup
Stuart Stephens said after the game: “All the boys were winners in our eyes for playing with such great sport.”
A raffle that took place alongside the rugby raised £500 for Parenting Special Children, a charity that ‘improves the well-being of families of children and young people with the wide range of special needs and disabilities in Berkshire.’
Ben Gander with the trophy
Ben Gander lifts the Olly Stephens Memorial Cup aloft
Ben Gander, Matt Gander and Olly Stephens' father Stuart
Their services are holistic and address the needs of the whole family, including the children and extended family. Services include; Helpline, Sleep, Trauma, Specialist workshops, Support Groups, Transition to Adulthood and Social Interaction groups for neurodiverse children and young people.
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