Billy Guyton becomes posthumous member of Progressive Rugby
This article is written by Progressive Rugby and printed in consultation with Billy’s parents
Progressive Rugby are deeply honoured to announce that Billy Guyton has become a posthumous member of the player welfare group.
Billy, who retired due to concussion in 2018, tragically took his own life aged just 33 in May 2023, after suffering with ongoing issues that affected his mental health.
The former Hurricanes, Crusaders and Blues and Māori All Black scrum half had suffered with numerous symptoms, and had been particularly crippled with anxiety, depression, mental confusion, light aversion and serious memory lapses.
Billy’s dad John and mum Stacey, said they believed Billy would have wanted to support anyone looking to better protect players against the potential long-term consequences of repetitive brain injuries.
“Billy loved the game and we know he would have been proud and excited to have represented a group striving to ensure both the players and the game can have a long and healthy future,” John said.
Having the foresight to donate his brain to science, pathologists examining Billy’s brain following his death found Stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease neuroscientists believe is linked to repetitive brain injury and contact sports.
The revelation made Billy the first New Zealand professional rugby player to be diagnosed with CTE and sent shockwaves through the rugby community.
Professor John Fairclough at Progressive Rugby said: “We set up Progressive Rugby because of growing concerns for the brain health of players following their career. It’s stories like Billy’s that fuel our drive to keep lobbying governing bodies for the off-field changes that can mitigate the risk to players at all levels of this wonderful game.”
“Billy loved the game and we know he would have been proud and excited to have represented a group striving to ensure both the players and the game can have a long and healthy future.”