Munster Rugby coach Greig Oliver is being remembered as a “devoted family man” with “incredible passion for helping young players be the best they can be”.
The 58-year-old died in a paragliding accident in Cape Town on Monday after travelling to South Africa to watch his son represent Ireland at the World Rugby U20 Championships.
Oliver was taking part in a tandem paraglide from the city’s Signal Hill down to the beach below when his pilot collided with another paraglider.
The pilot deployed his reserve parachute and landed safely in the water around 200 or 300 metres offshore.
When emergency services arrived, Oliver was found tangled in paragliding gear on the rocks off-shore.
Emergency services attempt to revive him; however, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
He is believed to have drowned.
It is believed a number of the other Irish player's parents also took part in the glide.
Munster Rugby Coach Greig Oliver. Image: IRFUIn a statement, Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan, described him as a “hugely popular character with his light-hearted nature and sense of humour”.
“We are all in a state of shock following Greig’s tragic passing,” he said.
“He was a great colleague and friend to so many and will be dearly missed across the Munster and Irish Rugby community.
“Greig made his presence felt each day, he was always there to provide a helping hand and was a hugely popular character with his light-hearted nature and sense of humour.
“He had an infectious enthusiasm for the game and was incredibly passionate about helping young players be the best they can be on and off the field.”
"Unspeakable tragedy"
IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts said Oliver, “played a key role in the development of many young players during his time at Munster Rugby”.
“Today’s news is an unspeakable tragedy and our thoughts are with Greig’s wife Fiona, children Jack and Ciara, and his many friends, family and colleagues,” he said.
“May he rest in peace.”
Munster Rugby and the IRFU are liaising directly with Greig’s family, providing them with any assistance and support required at this time.
Career
A former international scrum half, Oliver played in two Rugby World Cups for Scotland.
He moved to Ireland with his family in 2007 and worked as Garryowen Director of Rugby for before taking up the role of Elite Player Development Officer with the Munster Rugby Academy in 2011.
Oliver’s son Jack was due to start on the bench today as reserve scrum half for Ireland.
A moment’s silence will be observed at all of today’s World Rugby under-20s matches as a mark of respect.
Main image shows Munster Rugby Elite Player Development Officer Greig Oliver, 30-05-2023. Image: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile.
