Ben Alexander (rugby league) facts for kids
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Personal information
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| Full name | Ben Alexander | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 13 September 1971 Penrith, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Died | 21 June 1992 (aged 20) Colyton, New South Wales, Australia |
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Playing information
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| Position | Halfback, Hooker | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Ben Alexander (born 13 September 1971 – died 21 June 1992) was a talented Australian rugby league player. He was known by his nickname "Boods". Ben played as a halfback or hooker for the Penrith Panthers team. He was the younger brother of his Penrith teammate, Greg Alexander.
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Early Life and School
Ben Alexander grew up in Penrith, New South Wales. He went to St Dominic's College, Penrith for his schooling.
Playing for the Panthers
Ben Alexander started his professional rugby league career in 1990. His first top-level game was against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He came into the game from the bench. The very next week, he started as a halfback against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
In 1991, Ben was part of the Penrith Panthers team that won the Grand Final. They defeated the Canberra Raiders in a big game. Ben was a reserve player for this historic win.
For the 1992 season, Ben continued to play for the Panthers. He often played as a halfback or hooker. He was a valuable player for the team.
A Sad Day
On 21 June 1992, Ben Alexander passed away at the age of 20. This happened in a car accident in Colyton. Ben had just left a team event with some teammates. They were celebrating the Panthers' 1991 success.
Funeral and Remembrance
Many people gathered to say goodbye to Ben Alexander. A special service was held at St Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Penrith. Nearly 700 people were inside the church. An estimated 4,000 more listened outside. Ben was laid to rest in Penrith Cemetery.
Ben's Lasting Impact
Ben Alexander's passing deeply affected the Penrith Panthers team. Many players found it hard to continue. Some took time off from training and games. His brother, Greg Alexander, was especially impacted. Greg later said he was "never the same player" after Ben's death.
The coach, Phil Gould, also spoke about the difficult time. He said the team went from great highs to deep lows very quickly. The club lost a special person in tragic circumstances.
In recent years, Ben's brother Greg Alexander and teammate Brad Fittler have shared their story. They have appeared in road safety campaigns. This helps to remind people about safe driving.
To honor Ben Alexander, the Penrith Panthers have named an award after him. The club's "Rookie of the Year" award is called the Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year. This award celebrates new, promising players. It keeps Ben's memory alive at the club.
