Share and Follow
Heartfelt tributes have flooded in for a beloved New Zealand athlete who passed away unexpectedly following a severe medical emergency.
Courtney Johansen, who was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her baby with her partner, tragically succumbed to a brain aneurysm at the age of 29.
The heartbreaking incident occurred just days before what would have been her 30th birthday on May 1.
Tragically, her unborn daughter, Maia Joyce Barini, also did not survive the ordeal.
A brain aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel swells or balloons and, if it bursts, can lead to life-threatening bleeding.
Most brain aneurysms are small and do not cause symptoms, meaning that many people who have them are not aware of it unless they undergo a brain scan.Â
The rugby community in Waikato, New Zealand has been thrown into mourning by the sudden death of sportswoman Courtney Johansen (pictured)
Johansen (pictured right) and her unborn daughter died when she suffered a brain aneurysm just days before her 30th birthday
Pictured: The tribute to Johansen that was posted on Facebook by the Taupiri Rugby Club
The tragic news rocked the rural town of Taupiri, where Johansen – known affectionately as ‘Kiddo’ – spent the last eight years as a player-coach and manager of the Taupiri Rugby Club.
Outside of rugby, ‘Kiddo’ was involved in athletics and was a part of many other social sports teams.
In a tribute on Facebook, the Taupiri Rugby Club described Johansen as ‘the kind of person who made everyone feel like they belonged.’
‘Our Taupiri Rugby community are absolutely devastated at the loss of our girl, Courtney Johansen – our CJ, (lovingly referred to as ‘Kiddo’), and her precious unborn baby, MJ.
‘But if you knew Kiddo, you’ll know she’d hate this being all doom and gloom… so while our hearts are breaking, we can already hear her telling us to “pull it together,” probably followed by a laugh and something just a little bit inappropriate.
‘Kiddo wasn’t just part of this Club, she WAS the Club for so many of us. One of the OGs of our women’s team, there from the very beginning, helping build it into what it is today. Blood, sweat, bruises, laughs, broken nose; she gave it everything, and then gave even more. The jersey meant something because humans like Kiddo wore it.
‘She was the kind of person who made everyone feel like they belonged. The quiet humour on the side line, the first to check in on you, and somehow always in the middle of both the chaos and the organisation.Â
‘Teammate, captain, committee member, one-(wo)man fundraising enthusiast, valued member of the sisterhood; she was all of it, all at once. Our no.4.
‘No doubt she will make friends, and tell everyone how things should be run; now with her little one right there with her.
‘To all our black & yellow, check in on each other. Sit together, laugh, cry, tell the stories (especially the naughty ones, she’d insist). That’s how we carry her with us.
‘Kiddo, you were one of a kind. You still are.’
In a separate comment under the post, Paula Graham added: ‘To my beautiful niece your heart & loving arms that reached out to all no matter what will be very much cherished & missed.
‘Your tough but soft words of love & wisdom will be remembered.
‘Look over mum & dad along with your brother DJ & your other darling Joey.
‘Know you will be missed & fondly remember by your whanau [extended family] in Rugby, Waka ama, netball & the community for a VERY long time.
‘I love you today, tomorrow & forever bub.’