The Bowning Buffaloes cricket team and the wider community are in mourning following the sudden death of Rob Brown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 35-year-old was a popular and vital member of the Buffaloes premiership-winning team of 2014/15, an adored husband and father, and well-respected deputy principal at Cootamundra High School.
Mr Brown (pictured) died in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday morning.
He leaves behind a loving wife in Kieren, two young children in Jackson and Lachlan, distraught brothers Simon and David, and devastated albeit proud parents Gary and Raylene.
Only five days prior, on September 26, he took to the cricket pitch with Buffaloes teammates for the annual seven-a-side competition.
“As his mum and dad, we’re so proud of what he’s achieved,” his father Gary said on Monday.
“The impact he’s had on Cootamundra is amazing.
“His death is totally unexpected. He was fit and healthy. We’re devastated. We will never understand why this happened, but our faith in God remains.”
Mr Brown rose to the ranks of deputy principal at Cootamundra High School having graduated from Yass High and later, the University of Newcastle.
He was actively involved in the school’s sporting culture and was a much-loved figure at the Cootamundra Tricolours Rugby Union Club.
On top of family, teaching and rugby union, fishing and cricket were among his loves.
His presence will be forever remembered on the local cricket scene, too.
Mr Brown was the wicketkeeper in the Buffaloes’ maiden Triggs Shield winning team, a side that overcame minor premiers the Soldiers Club Snipers in a Victoria Park decider in March.
He played an integral part in the team’s success alongside younger brother, Buffaloes all-rounder Dave.
Buffaloes president Duncan Burleigh said the club was stunned and saddened by the news.
“He played with us on the Saturday, we were all together. It’s such a shock,” he said.
“The boys are all behind him and his family. His wife and kids have lost a husband and a father, and we’ve lost a teammate, a friend and a great bloke.”
Mr Burleigh said the Buffaloes will pay their formal respects to their fallen teammate prior to the side’s first home game, against the Yass Golf Club on October 24.
