A 20-year-old Nottingham rugby first team player has been forced to retire from the game because of a career ending knee injury.
George Trimmer, who played at centre, has a long-standing deteriorating knee problem and he announced his retirement from rugby to coaches and teammates earlier this week.
He began playing as a junior at Stourbridge and Old Swinford Hospital School before spending six years in the Worcester academy programme.
Trimmer moved to Nottingham at the start of the 2015/16 season.
He did not make a competitive first team appearance due to an Achilles injury however played in Nottingham’s pre-season match against Premiership opposition Newcastle in August.
Trimmer studies a Real Estate degree at Nottingham Trent University and despite the setback, is upbeat about his future.
I’m grateful for the opportunity and the friends it has made me
He said: “It’s been really tough; I’ve gone from playing rugby all day, every day, to not playing at all, so that’s probably going to be the hardest part about it.
“I’m continuing my studies at NTU and I’m hoping to get into a different sport, I’m looking at rowing actually.
“I’m also hoping to stay around the club and help out on match days and just stay with the boys really.
“I’d like to thank the NTU scholarship team, the club, my family and friends for their continued support now and throughout my career.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity my rugby career has provided me with and the friends it has made me.”
Trimmer has already made his first steps into rowing and is on Team GB’s ‘Discover Your Gold’ programme.
Nottingham rugby assistant first team coach Alex O’Dowd has said that he will be sorely missed by all both at the rugby club and the NTU team, of which Alex is also an assistant rugby coach.
He said: “It’s unfortunate for him, he’s a young guy.
“Coming from New Zealand, our programme is very much based around what you’re doing outside of rugby, and making sure that you have a career path or some kind of education underway.
“I think George has that and I’m sure he’s able to continue to be successful in anything he chooses to do.
“It’s a loss for the boys; we all wished him well and he knows that he’s always welcome to be involved and be around the lads and I’m sure they’ll love to see him!”
