I am sat
here at Bangkok Airport, waiting for the flight back home & I have just
received some exceptionally sad, tragic news. I am struggling to put my
feelings into words & so I will simply publish the email I received from
Scotland Lacrosse.
"To all Scotland Lacrosse players, members and supporters:
It is with a deep sadness that I find myself writing to inform you
that Robert (Bobby) Hetherington was killed on April 30th whilst serving
with the Royal Regiment of Scotland of the British Army in Afghanistan.
To all that knew him, Bobby was an extraordinary man. Not only was he a
phenomenal athlete, soldier, and friend to all, he also possessed
a maturity, wisdom, and leadership ability that were far beyond his 25
years.
From the very first time Bobby picked up a longstick at the age of 17 at
Stirling University, through to him captaining Scotland at the European
Championships in 2012, he impressed everyone he encountered with his passion
for the sport, his natural ability, and his dedication to continually
improving.
Bobby loved lacrosse. He loved playing. He loved competing
for Scotland. He loved, and cared deeply for, his teammates.
He will be greatly, greatly missed.
With a heavy heart"
Personally, Bobby, or "Momo" was a great team mate (above, second from left), despite being one I only had the pleasure of spending my final Championships with in Finland in 2008...but you would never have known it was his first. He was a young man, with incredible energy & presence, someone that you felt comfortable around, someone I enjoyed being around, despite the fact he was 10 or so years younger than me. He was able to create a link between the new generation of players coming through & the old guard that we moving on to new stages in their lives.
A few months after we returned, I drove up north with Bobby & a couple of friends to go snowboarding in Glenshee. It didn't matter that we hadn't caught up for a few weeks, nor that I hadn't met his friends before. We caught up where we left off & he made me very welcome in his group. Typical Bobby & I'm sure there are scores of people that could say the same thing.
Bobby, you will be greatly missed & I have no doubt you have left a great hole in a lot of people's lives. You will, however, never be forgotten by the many whose lives you graced. My heart goes out to your family, girlfriend & many friends. Scotland lost a great son this week.
