Rowing boat named in memory of Salford student who died

A sports journalist and passionate Salford University rower has had a boat named in her memory. 

Eleanor Margaret Haigh was just 26 years old when she died at Salford Royal Hospital following a short and wholly unexpected battle with an infection in September.

Eleanor’s parents, Kathy and Peter, spoke about their daughter’s achievements in a ceremony that unveiled a new rowing boat named after her by the club.

Her love for rowing brought her to university in Salford where she studied broadcast journalism. She also became social secretary of the Salford University Boat Club in her final year. 

Classmate Sam Morris said: “Eleanor loved rowing and it was a huge part of her university experience. It played a huge part in her aspiration to pursue a career in sports journalism, in which she excelled.

“Her parents were always really supportive and loved her passion for the sport. I think they were also just amazed to see her get up at 5am for practice. 

“This is an amazing, thoughtful, heart-warming tribute to Eleanor.”

Eleanor graduated with a first-class honours degree in 2017. 

No words I’ve got can convey in anyway, anywhere near what is needed at this time. Such a sad sad loss and the club have been a credit to her and each other this last week in what have been extraordinarily sad circumstances. You should all be very proud of ‘El’ and yourselves x

— Neil Waine (@AMCTerrier) September 5, 2022

She went to work as a sports journalist at Huddersfield Town AFC, where she developed a connection with many of the players in the team and across the league.

The team paid tribute to her with a minute’s applause before their fixture with Blackpool on September 4.