Nottingham: Tributes to ‘talented’ young sport stars Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber killed in attacks
Tributes have been paid to two teenagers killed in the Nottingham attacks – with both described as “talented” young sports stars and a school caretaker in his 60s.
Sports clubs, schools and one of the victims’ families have issued heartfelt statements after 19-year-old university students Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber were stabbed to death in a deadly rampage on Tuesday.
Miss Kumar, who played for England under-18s hockey team, was described as “fun, friendly and brilliant” and a “huge talent”, while former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan said Mr Webber was a “young cricketer gone far too soon”.
Grace Kumar was described as a ‘talented’ hockey player. Pic: Southgate Hockey Club
Tributes have also been paid to the third victim of the attack who has been named as school caretaker Ian Coates.
Woodford Wells Cricket Club in Essex, where Miss Kumar had been a member, said in a statement: “Devastated to hear the news about former Wells Baby Belles captain, Grace Kumar.
“A fiercely competitive, talented and dedicated cricketer and hockey player”, adding that she was “fun, friendly and brilliant”.
Miss Kumar playing for Woodford Wells Cricket club. Pic: @woodfordwellscc
Police are continuing to question a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder after the attacks in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
A third victim killed was named as school caretaker Ian Coates.
England Hockey said they were “deeply saddened” at the news of Miss Kumar’s death.
“Grace was a popular member of the England U16 and U18 squads and our thoughts are with Grace’s family, friends, teammates and the whole hockey community at this time,” England Hockey said.
Meanwhile, Southgate Hockey Club, where Miss Kumar played as a member of the under-18s and women’s team, said they were “shocked and devastated” by the news of her death – describing her as a “huge talent”.
‘Pain’ of victim’s family over ‘senseless murder’
The family of Mr Webber described the “passionate cricketer” as a “beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to”.
In a statement, parents David and Emma Webber, and younger brother Charlie, said the teenager’s brother is “bereft beyond belief”.
Barnaby Webber (L) and his brother Charlie
The family said: “Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.
“Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to
“A talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team.
“At 19 he was just at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man.”
‘Young cricketer gone far too soon’
The family released a series of photos of Mr Webber pictured with his parents and alongside his brother. They have asked for privacy as a family.
Former England cricket star Vaughan described Mr Webber as a “young cricketer gone far too soon”.
Mr Webber’s school, which he attended from nursery through to the end of sixth form, also paid tribute to the teenager, describing him as a “much-loved, kind and engaging character”.
Flowers were laid at Barnaby Webber’s cricket club
Taunton School said: “In his long association with the school, he touched the lives of many staff, pupils and parents and his loss will be very difficult to come to terms with. He was a much-loved, kind and engaging character. That a young man of such promise should lose his life in these circumstances is utterly devastating.
“We send our love and deepest condolences to his family. We continue to do all we can to support them and all in our community affected by these events. When the time comes, we will find a fitting way in which to remember Barnaby and his special contribution to our school.”
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Vigil held for victims of Nottingham attacks
Taunton-based Bishops Hull Cricket Club also paid tribute to Mr Webber, who was one of its members, describing him as a “dear friend”.
The victim was described as a “key part” of the club and the statement invited family and friends to lay flowers and pay their respects at the ground.
School caretaker was ‘beloved and respected member of staff’
Mr Coates’ employer has described the school caretaker as a “beloved and respected member of the Huntingdon Academy staff”.
Ian Coates
In a statement, Ross Middleton, executive headteacher of Huntingdon Academy and Warren Academy, said: “Ian was a much-loved colleague who always went the extra mile for the benefit of our children and will be greatly missed.
“As a school community, it will take time to process this deeply upsetting news. We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s tragic events.”
Meanwhile, Diana Owen, chief executive of the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, which employed Mr Coates, said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” at the news of his death, adding that he was “a beloved and respected member of the Huntingdon Academy staff”.
Police declared a major incident after the two students were found dead in the street in Ilkeston Road just after 4am.
Officers were then called to Milton Street, in the city centre, where a driver had tried to run over people in a van – leaving one person in a critical condition and two others were minor injuries.
Mr Coates was found dead with knife injuries by a member of the public in nearby Magdala Road.
England and Scotland fans have found out where their World Cup group games will be played when the tournament kicks off in June.
England, who are in Group L, will begin their tournament against Croatia in Dallas at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 17 June. They will then go on to face Ghana in Boston at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 23 June and Panama in New Jersey, New York, at 5pm EST (10pm BST) on 27 June.
Scotland are in Group C, and their first match will be against Haiti in Boston at 9pm EST on 13 June (2am GMT the following morning).
They will go up against Morocco also in Boston at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 19 June and then Brazil in Miami at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 24 June.
Fans are expected to rush to sort their travel and accommodation plans now that they know where and when the matches take place.
Read more: Unapologetically political – a World Cup draw like no other
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England and Scotland learn World Cup fate
Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to find out if they will qualify.
Wales must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
If they beat these play-off opponents, they will secure their place in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
However, Northern Ireland will also be vying to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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World Cup 2026 – who England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will play
Scotland and England now know who they will face in the group stage of the next summer’s world cup.
But the fates of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales won’t be determined until they compete in pre-tournament play-off matches in March.
England are in Group L along with Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Their first match will be against Croatia, who beat them in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Pic: Reuters
Scotland’s first match will be against Haiti, in Group C.
Brazil and Morocco are the other Group C teams – both countries were also in the same opening group as Scotland in the 1998 World Cup in France.
Trump and Infantino at the World Cup draw
Wales have yet to find out if they will qualify as they must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, and then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
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If they can overcome these play-off opponents then they will secure their place in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. But Northern Ireland will also be vying and hoping to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
The Republic of Ireland also need to get through the play-offs first and are paired against the Czech Republic for their semi-final. Should Ireland win that match, they will need to beat either North Macedonia or Denmark to get to the finals where an opening group containing joint hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea awaits.
This was a World Cup draw like no other. Crafted less for the teams but for one man.
The choice of venue. The creation of a new trophy. The closing music act.
Donald Trump was lavished with the adulation he craves by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and feels others unfairly deny him.
Knowing how much being overlooked by the Nobel Committee hurt the US president, there was Mr Infantino with FIFA’s newly-created Peace Prize to hand over. And a medal for Mr Trump to wear.
“This is truly one of the great honours of my life,” he said. “And beyond awards, Gianni and I were discussing this. We saved millions and millions of lives.”
This was all on the stage in front of an audience who turned up to find out who they will be playing at the World Cup.
England handed an undaunting route past Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Scotland paired with newcomers Haiti before tricky reunions from their last men’s World Cup in 1998 against Brazil and Morocco.
Pic: Reuters
But the show before the draw could even begin – presided over by Rio Ferdinand – took almost as long as a football match, at 87 minutes after the noon kick-off was delayed.
There was a walk of self-promotion to complete – “I guess they have to wait” – before taking his seat in the Kennedy Center. Or the Trump Kennedy Center as the president takes to calling the venue picked 1.5 miles from the White House.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel reacts to draw
“It was falling apart,” he said, delaying the walk into the auditorium. “And now it’s, it’s pretty much back.”
Mr Infantino could only watch on, beaming, at his friend.
“We had a dead country,” Mr Trump went on, “and now we have the hottest country anywhere in the world”.
There was the awkwardness of being reminded, before receiving the peace accolade, about threats to launch military strikes on Venezuela to stop the drugs trade.
“I did settle eight wars, and we have a ninth coming,” he swatted away the question. “Which nobody’s ever done before. But I want to really save lives. I don’t need prizes.”
But FIFA knew how much he wanted more gold for the collection with the prize.
More on this story:
What draw means for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
And for all the mockery and disdain targeted at FIFA, how many sports would relish having the US president spend several hours attending a procedural event determining the placing of teams in groups for a tournament?
How many would dish out the same flattery to secure direct lines to the leader of the nation staging their championship?
Many have benefited from Mr Trump’s stardust and swagger being attached to this spectacle.
Even Port Vale’s most famous fan – Robbie Williams – secured a walk-on role, exceeding his profile this side of the Pond.
And the Village People are reaping the rewards of becoming the unlikeliest of Trump hype acts.
The festivities ended with eyes fixed back up to the presidential seating and the YMCA dance being performed.
This was an afternoon that dispelled any pretence that FIFA keeps a distance from politics. It was unapologetically political. But few speak out in the FIFA world as the redistributed wealth keeps rolling back in their direction.
It would be easy to forget this isn’t entirely America’s World Cup. They’re sharing hosting with Canada and Mexico.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
And eventually the spotlight was ceded to their leaders – very briefly – as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew out their countries’ names.
But it did live up to FIFA’s mantra that football can unite the world.
The neighbours were brought together here on a snowy day in Washington. And tensions – often stoked by Mr Trump with Canada and Mexico – thawed in the name of football.
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