Australia's rugby community is mourning the loss of Ellia Green's mother, Yolanta, after a long cancer struggle.
Green's mother Yolanta has been battling cancer for several years and sadly passed away earlier this week.
Ellia writes 'Mum' on her wrist before every game and spoke often about their close bond, with Yolanta a constant source of support for the Aussie Sevens superstar.
Green has been spending time in Melbourne in recent months to be closer to Yolanta and was with her in her final days.
The 25-year-old expressed her gratitude for the support from the wider rugby community in a statement on Monday afternoon.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. My brother and I loved and adored our mother, Yolanta, very much and her long battle with cancer was been an inspiration to everyone who knew her," she said.
“Mum never stopped fighting or being true to herself and her values.
“She was an amazing, intelligent, unconditional loving woman who taught me so much which I will never forget."
“I often spoke about how she was my inspiration, but she was more than that, she was my cornerstone that I set my life on.
“I’ve been really touched by the messages of support and can’t thank everyone enough for their thoughts and prayers."
