AN ice hockey team is to introduce a memorial trophy following the sudden death of one of its players.

Niall Birtwell, 12, who played for Blackburn Hawks, died last week after a short, mystery illness.

The youngster, from Tarn Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors, represented the club's under-14 Kestrels side and practised at Blackburn ice arena.

Niall's manager at the Kestrels, Alan Amos, said they had decided to create the Niall Birtwell Rookie of the Year Trophy as an inspiration to other players at the club.

He said: "Niall was relatively new to ice hockey but his attitude and enthusiasm was fantastic.

"The thing that we will remember the most is that he grafted and grafted to try to learn about the game and become a better player.

"He learnt all of the skills and watched all of the games."

Niall was in training with the Kestrels in preparation for next season, but he was also a big fan of the Hawks, the club's senior side, and often watched matches played by the under-16s.

Mr Amos added: "The kids who knew him are all absolutely gutted, he was a lovely lad and he is a massive loss to hockey in Blackburn.

"The Niall Birtwell Rookie of the Year Trophy will be presented to the player that has done what Niall did worked hard to improve and play well.

"It will go to a player who is new to the sport but has shown huge desire and commitment to do well."

Niall's parents Lauren, 38, and Andrew, 42, said that they were proud that the club had considered creating the trophy and added that any money raised at their son's funeral on Friday by donations would go to the ice hockey club.

Lauren said: "Niall was so passionate about his ice hockey, he only started playing for the Kestrels few months ago but he was hooked, he loved it.

"We decided straight away that if there were going to be any donations at the funeral then we wanted them to go to the team.

"The skating gear is so expensive and they have no funding.

"I'm sure that is what Niall would have wanted."

Representatives from the Kestrels team will be at the funeral dressed in their ice hockey gear and mum Lauren said that she hoped Niall's friends from St Christopher's High School, Accrington, as well as from the club, would go to the service.

Niall's funeral takes place at 1.15pm on Friday at All Saints Church, Church Street, Clayton-le-Moors, before cremation at Accrington Crematorium.