'Lived for rugby league': Vale Emil Grindheim

International Rugby League sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and team-mates of young Norwegian player Emil Grindheim, who passed away in tragic circumstances last weekend.

The 19-year-old succumbed to the current while he was swimming with friends in a rockpool at Netland, north of Kvinesdal, on Saturday.  

Emil was a promising player with a great passion for rugby league, who had represented his country at both senior and under-19s level.

He played for Norway in last October’s European Championship D matches against Germany and Czechia, kicking 11 goals in Norway’s 86-6 defeat of Czechia.

Norway players will pay tribute to Grindheim in Thursday’s Senior International Match against Canada in Lillestrom.

The teenager had been rested from the match as he was due to represent Norway in the upcoming Under-19s European Championship, starting on July 12 in France.

IRL Secretary-General Danny Kazandjian said: “While I did not know Emil or his family, I am aware of how devoted Emil and they all were to our sport, sitting at the very centre of the tightknit, courageous Norwegian rugby league community, with whom we grieve at this moment of unimaginable tragedy.

“Those who knew Emil said that he lived for rugby league, and his memory will live on in every hard-fought step of progress the sport continues to make in Norway.

“On behalf of everyone in the IRL and the global rugby league family, we pay our deepest respects and condolences to Emil’s family and friends. May he rest in peace.”