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A “keen” basketball player who died after collapsing mid-game earlier this year had an underlying heart condition, an inquest has heard.
Guillaume Pierre Hoareau – who was known as G to his teammates – died at the age of 40 on 18 May this year.
Yesterday, an inquest into his death heard that Mr Hoareau had intended to stop playing competitive basketball after the inter-insular game between Jersey and Guernsey.
Pictured: Jersey player Guillaume Hoareau passed away after he collapsed during a match against Guernsey on Saturday 18 May.
In a statement read out at the hearing, a fellow player described how, after Mr Hoareau collapsed on the court at Fort Regent, teammates formed a “barrier” around him while he received first aid.
He was taken to hospital in an ambulance but later passed away in the Emergency Department at the General Hospital.
Relief Coroner, Advocate Cyril Whelan, found that Mr Hoareau died of left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, a structural anomaly to his heart.
The basketball player had suffered some symptoms previously but had been “thoroughly” tested and examined, the inquest heard – including taking an exercise ECG in which he performed well.
He was described as fit and active, and his heart condition was regularly monitored.
Video: Members of the Jersey basketball community shared a video in tribute to the "gentle giant" earlier this year.
In a statement, Mr Hoareau’s wife, Sally Pryce, described how he had grown up in France and lived in Germany and Spain before moving to Jersey in 2009.
He was described as a “keen” and “competitive” basketball player who enjoyed coaching younger players and often arranged team trips to France.
Previously, the Jersey Basketball Association’s president Paul Milbank called Mr Hoareau “the lifeblood of our community” as well as “an inspiration and mentor”.
A JustGiving page in his memory collected jut over £10,000 to help fund the growth of basketball participation in Jersey, and support young players to develop their abilities.
Advocate Whelan extended his condolences to Mr Hoareau’s family.
You can donate to the Guillaume Hoareau Legacy Fund via JustGiving.
Companies or organisations that would like to make a donation of more than £1,000 are invited to contact paul@basketball.je for more information.
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