Ulster Rugby : The John McCall Fairplay Award

Ian and Carolyn McCall present the Fairplay Award which bears their son's name to Benjamin del Solar, captain of the Chilean U19 side

The John McCall Fairplay Award

23 April 2007, 9:27 am

By Lyndsey Irwin

In an emotional presentation on Saturday evening, Ian and Carolyn McCall, parents of the late John McCall, presented the John McCall Fairplay Award to Chilean captain Benjamin del Solar

The Ulster and Irish rugby community was shocked and saddened in March 2004 when the Schools’ Cup winning captain, John McCall, died suddenly whilst playing rugby for the Ireland Under 19 side in the IRB Under 19 World Championship in South Africa, just two weeks after lifting the Schools Cup trophy at Ravenhill.

It was later discovered that John had died of an undetected heart problem that could have been prevented had doctors been aware of it. This year’s IRB Under 19 World Championship marks the third anniversary of John’s death.

This season’s IRB U19 World Championship marked the third anniversary of John's death and with this year’s championship taking place in John’s home country, and as a celebration of his life and his love for the game, it is particularly fitting that the Fairplay Award bore his name.

The Fairplay Award was presented to the team who maintained an excellent disciplinary record throughout the tournament and who participated most enthusiastically in the legacy programme initiatives.
Chile, who have gained quite a following during their time in Belfast were the winners and their captain Benjamin del Solar accepted the award from the McCall's on behalf of his team.