Santa Fe rugby mourns: Ángel Gorla has died | OneFootball

A very great loss for local rugby is the passing of Ángel Gorla. The former player, coach, and director was closely linked to Santa Fe Rugby Club.

It was a very sad Sunday for rugby in Santa Fe. At the age of 57 (October 24, 1968), Ángel Gorla went on tour. Angelito, as everyone who knew him called him, fought an illness for several years. A true reference point at Santa Fe Rugby Club, although his beginnings were at Club La Salle Jobson. Without a doubt, he was a person deeply loved by his club’s entire family, and it is worth noting that his reach went beyond rugby in Santa Fe, as he was highly respected throughout the oval-ball sports world across the Litoral region.

Rugby in Santa Fe is in mourning

From every level of local rugby came expressions of affection and love for Angelito, because of the mark he left on the sport and in every environment he was part of. An illness that had taken a heavy toll on him in recent years was the tackle he could not evade in the end. Even so, he gave a clear example of resilience, composure, and great faith, always believing that everything would work out.

With the unwavering support of his family—Mariana, Facundo, and Camila—Angelito kept fighting until the very end, which is why in recent hours there were moving displays of love and support at his passing. He is remembered as a great rugby player, trained at La Salle Jobson and later joining Santa Fe Rugby Club, but he was also part of the senior team of the Unión Santafesina de Rugby, both as a player and as a coach.

A very special, wonderful person—there is no doubt that a great human being has left us, someone who always seemed to be in good spirits. A great contributor to rugby. But for many, a teacher, a student of the sport of the oval ball, and a very helpful ally to the press whenever his assistance was needed on certain matters. Angelito leaves an indelible mark on sports and on rugby, but above all he will be remembered as a great person.

Many people loved him, because he was respectful, hardworking, loyal, and a very good friend, with a family that devoted themselves until the very last moment to making sure he lacked nothing. Without a doubt, a great loss. A few years ago, he was part of the FUAR Foundation and helped organize the first Julio David M16 Tournament run by the Sauce Viejo organization. He had a distinguished time as a player and member of the coaching staff of Santa’s senior and youth squads, his second home. A place he went to share with his friends, but where he also left many lessons. A deeply loved man who earned the respect not only of the people at his club, but of all rugby in Santa Fe, and naturally throughout the Litoral region.

As a player, he enjoyed time with his friends, first at La Salle Jobson and later at Santa Fe Rugby, with teammates such as current mayor Juan Pablo Poletti, José De Biaggio, Adrián Lombardi, Gustavo Álvarez, Federico Caputto, Guillermo Iturraspe (h), Leandro Valdés, and many others, who made up a list of great players and even better people.

On its social media, the Unión Santafesina de Rugby posted a message regarding the passing of Angelito Gorla: “The USR bids farewell with deep sorrow to Ángel Gorla, former player, coach of our senior representative teams, and worthy ambassador of FUAR. We stand with his family, loved ones, and the entire Santa Fe Rugby Club community, where he was a founder and a leading figure.”

Club Universitario de Santa Fe also mourned the passing of Angelito Gorla: “From our club, we send our condolences to the family of Ángel Gorla, founder of Santa Fe Rugby and coach. We stand with Santa Fe Rugby and his loved ones at this time of sorrow.”

For his part, former Puma and current Capibaras coach Maximiliano Chinchu Bustos said: “A great teacher, educator, and above all defender of our sport has left us. We are going to miss you very much, Ángel, but you left us a great legacy that we will continue to care for. Strength to his family and all of Santa Fe Rugby.”

Mayor Juan Pablo Poletti, friend, first cousin, and rugby teammate, said: “My friend: you left in peace. You left behind a legacy and lessons everywhere. You were my cousin, but above all my soul friend, one more brother. You were an example of life, struggle, and resilience. You never gave up, nothing was ever impossible for you. You were always there, in good times and bad, in sport or in life, we always walked together, and even though we were so different, so unlike each other, we always loved one another and built a friendship that nothing could break. I’m going to miss you a lot. The club will always remember you, and I will always remember the grass loaves.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.