With great sadness we have to inform those of you who have not heard that Andrea Buckley, “Andie”, Head Coach of Cambridge Aspire, passed away last Tuesday. Our thoughts are with her family and friends in these sad times.
The following article was published by the Cambridge News (links to original article) and speaks the story of Andie as we knew her:
Shock at sudden death of trampoline coach, 32
Gareth McPherson
Andie Buckley with some of the Comberton Tiggerss
A trampoline coach whose “passion inspired a generation” has died suddenly aged 32.
Andrea Buckley, known throughout Cambridgeshire for her motivational skills as a trainer, died this week at her home in Chatteris.
An inquest is due to be opened next week into the former Cambridge University student’s death.
She founded Cambridge Aspire Trampoline Club, formerly known as Comberton Tiggers, and has run classes for all levels of ability across the county – for adults and children as well as those with disabilities.
Stephen Munday, the executive principal of Comberton Village College, where Andrea taught for a decade, announced the sad news to parents and pupils on Thursday (Jan 10).
He told the News:
She was an incredibly dedicated and committed trampoline coach who developed a love of trampolining in many young people.
Many young people are understandably upset by her sudden death. Staff at the school are available to help any of the young people who may need to speak to someone appropriately during the school day.
Rival club Cambridge Cangaroos released their own tribute to Andrea, known to her friends and pupils as Andie, saying she had turned Cambridge Aspire into a “prominent team in the region”.
It read:
Andie will always be remembered as a determined and motivational person whose passion inspired a generation of children and adults to enjoy our beloved sport.
Her philosophy to teach it right from the start so you don’t have to go back and fix it later is crucial to sporting success.
Cambridge Cangaroos wish to pass on our sincerest condolences to her family, friends and club at this difficult time. As a club, a county and a region we will all miss her dearly.
Andrea worked at South Cambridgeshire District Council as a housing strategy officer until last year.
Schuyler Newstead, the council’s head of housing strategy and development, said:
Our thoughts and sympathies are with her family and friends at this sad time.
Andrea was a bright, fun and bubbly character who would always go that extra mile to help residents during her time working at the council. She will be sadly missed by everyone here.
Andrea was nominated for the LIVING SPORT Awards in 2010, which is held in the conjunction with the News to reward sporting excellence at all levels in the county.
Her group was nominated as community club of the year and she was nominated in the coach category.
Last Updated on January 13, 2013 by dave
