An NRL club’s training session in a hot gym was likely inappropriate before the death of a young player who collapsed from heat stroke, a coroner has found. Manly Sea Eagles player Keith Titmuss, 20, suffered a seizure after an indoor workout session at the club’s base on Sydney’s northern beaches, on November 23, 2020. Titmuss was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital but died five hours later having suffered a cardiac arrest.
Outside court, Titmuss’ mother Lafo said she was pleased to get certainty on her son’s cause of death and urged all involved to adopt the recommendations. Flanked by family and supporters, she said she wanted the NRL to emphasise the importance of heat policy and not underestimate the impact of heat. Lafo has previously said she hopes recommendations from the inquest will be instructive for the NRL and other sporting codes.