By Saul Cooke-Black

'A FINE winger and a pleasure to train' - that is how a former rugby coach at Painswick RFC has described teenager Kai Hannis.

Dave Jones coached Kai in the U14 Painswick rugby team.

He said: "Kai was always cheerful, always listened and was a fine winger.

"We hoped he would go on to bigger and better things, he was that good a player.

"He was a really pleasant young man and a pleasure to coach."

Team mate Gareth Jones also paid tribute, saying: "He was a great lad, always had a smile on his face no matter what he was doing.

"I remember being with him at Painswick RFC and him coming to me before the game worrying he wasn't good enough, and I grabbed him and told him that he was good enough and needed more belief.

"He went on to score a length of the pitch try which won us the game.

"He was one of a kind."

Pam Wilson, head teacher at Maidenhill School in Stonehouse, described Kai as a 'sporting role model' during his time at the school.

She said: "As a member of the school rugby team, he was an exceptional sporting role model – reliable, committed and self-motivated."

Kai, 18, passed away earlier this week.

Close friend Charlie Cox said: "Kai was always full of fun and laughter, he did not have a single bad bone in his body.

"He always tried to do his best in everything he did.

"We all will miss him greatly.

"He loved farming and was also a keen car enthusiast.

"To fulfil his dreams we have a plan to try to raise the money and finish off his pride and joy that is his MK2 Golf, the way he wanted to be.

"We then plan to take it to the local car meets and show it off in his memory."

Friends are also gathering on Selsley Common on Sunday at 4.30pm where fireworks will be let off in his memory.

Anyone who would like to pay tribute to Kai is welcome to email scb@stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk