Women’s soccer is mourning the death of a rising star, who died in her sleep at age 19. Australian law student Aurelia Haynes played for New South Wales team Umina United, and her teammates organized a special match against rivals Woongarrah FC in her honor. During the contest, a chair with Haynes’ photograph, surrounded by floral tributes, was seated to the side of the soccer pitch. Her parents, Philip and Kate, said they were overwhelmed by the warm gesture and expressed their thanks to the players of both teams who came together to remember their daughter.
Aurelia began her soccer career as a high school student with the Canberra United Academy. After graduation, she played for two teams – Northbridge NPL U20 and Hills District – before joining Umina United.
Teammates left tributes to the player on social media, with many expressing shock that someone so young could die so suddenly. “Aurelia’s love for the club and her teammates shone brightly in every match and training session,” one former teammate wrote.
The exact cause of Aurelia Haynes’ death is unknown, but experts warn that sudden death in young people is sadly not uncommon. Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), for instance, is usually attributed to undiagnosed heart problems. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic describe the phenomenon as the “swift and not expected ending of all heart activity.”
SADS occurs in otherwise healthy people aged under 35 and impacts more males than females. The underlying heart conditions are often genetic and commonly affect young people who engage in sports or regular physically strenuous activities. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a leading culprit and causes cardiac muscle to thicken, placing pressure on the heart and making it difficult to pump blood. Long QT syndrome is a condition that causes “chaotic heartbeats,” resulting in a sudden cessation of cardiac activity. Heart problems can also result from an injury, such as a “forceful hit to the chest.” Known as “commotio cordis,” it can affect athletes who sustain an injury that causes the heart’s electrical signals to alter and trigger ventricular fibrillation – irregular heartbeats that can be fatal.
SADS is the most common cause of death among young athletes, and some reports suggest it affects one in every 50,000.
