Rugby Community Mourns Loss of Shane Christie, 39, Advocate for Player Safety

Shane Christie, a former flanker for the Highlanders and captain of the Tasman Mako, was remembered for his dedication to rugby and his advocacy for player welfare during his funeral service in Nelson on March 15, 2024. Christie passed away suddenly at the age of 39, leaving behind a legacy that transcended the sport he loved.

Christie’s journey in professional rugby came to an end in 2017 due to severe post-concussion symptoms. He became a vocal advocate for the understanding and prevention of brain injuries within the sport, publicly sharing his struggles with what he believed were early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). His commitment to raising awareness about this debilitating condition underscored his passion for player safety.

The Trafalgar Centre was filled with family, friends, and former teammates who gathered to celebrate Christie’s life. Many described him as an unassuming leader whose loyalty and care touched everyone he encountered. Tasman Mako captain David Havili highlighted Christie’s role as the ultimate teammate, stating, “You taught us the values of mateship, a team-first mentality, and standing up for your people.”

Christie’s former girlfriend, Holly Parkes, spoke candidly about his struggles, revealing that he had been experiencing symptoms related to repeated concussions for nearly a decade. “He described it as an electrical circuit board, misfiring,” Parkes noted, expressing her wish to have prevented the damage he endured while playing.

More than just a player, Christie was a dedicated advocate for player welfare. Craig Morice, a lawyer who represented him during his final career negotiations with New Zealand Rugby, recalled their friendship that developed over nearly ten years. Morice recounted how he urged for urgent medical appointments for Christie as his condition worsened. “That specialist concluded that Shane should not return to play rugby again,” Morice stated.

In 2018, Christie and Morice met with senior officials from New Zealand Rugby and the Players Association to discuss the management of concussion injuries. Their collaboration led to an independent review that aimed to improve future protocols for player safety. Despite the completion of a comprehensive report with five recommendations in April 2019, the findings have not been made public.

After the passing of his friend and former teammate, Billy Guyton, in 2023, Christie co-founded the Billy Guyton Foundation. The foundation aims to raise awareness of brain injuries in rugby and advocate for increased duty of care for players. Guyton was notably the first professional rugby player in New Zealand to be diagnosed with CTE in 2024.

Christie’s contributions to rugby extended beyond his advocacy. He was born on July 23, 1985, in Palmerston North, and later moved to Wellington, where he excelled in both club and provincial rugby. He debuted with the Mako in 2010, ultimately captaining the team to its first championship title in 2013. His career included notable stints with the Crusaders and Highlanders, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s historic 2015 Super Rugby title.

Close friend Craig Moore reflected on Christie’s multifaceted life, noting his passion for various pursuits, including building, surfing, and yoga. “Shane’s life was one of passion; whatever he turned his hand to, he gave everything,” Moore stated.

Christie’s sister, Katrina Christie, described his death as one of the darkest moments for their family. She shared that despite the grief, there has been a tremendous outpouring of love and support, though it has also been accompanied by misinformation. “Though our grief is deep, so too is our gratitude for the time we had with you,” she expressed, emphasizing the joy Christie brought to those around him.

In accordance with his wishes, Shane Christie’s brain has been donated to the New Zealand Sports Human Brain Bank at the Centre for Brain Research in Auckland. This act aims to contribute to ongoing research into neurodegenerative diseases, furthering his legacy of advocacy for player safety in rugby.