Tributes have been paid to a popular rugby player who died suddenly after competing in a triathlon in Singapore.

Steve Begley, who was 42 and grew up on Sheppey, experienced suspected heart-related complications during the swimming section of the race.

Despite efforts to revive him after he was brought ashore he was pronounced dead later at Singapore General Hospital.

The 6ft 4in second row was well-known for his larger-than-life personality.

He retained strong links and friendships with the Island as well as countries across the world where he played rugby, including in Scotland, Ireland, France and South Africa.

School friend and Sheppey resident Duncan Stanley said: “Steve was a true role model. Behind his fun-loving attitude to life was a steely determination to succeed.

“In two highly-competitive areas, sport and finance, Steve made an absolute success of himself and many, many true friends along the way.”

Steve was the youngest of three siblings. He leaves his parents Frank and Jackie, brother Matt, sister Claire Walker, nieces Niamh and Erin Begley, partner Vanessa Raymundo, brother in law Neil Walker and sister in law Liz Begley.

Jackie said: “He was a loving son, brother and uncle and will be greatly missed by all his family.”

Born in Chatham, Steve grew up in Minster and was introduced to rugby aged 10 at the former Sir Thomas Cheyne Middle School in Sheerness.

He went on to play at Sheppey Comprehensive, Sheppey RFC colts and Kent.

He joined Blackheath after he was introduced by his older brother Matt who was playing for them at the time.

Their father Frank said: “They asked Matt, were there any players down at Sheppey who he thought were suitable to go up there.

Matt mentioned Steve and he was given a run out with the under-17s. The rest is history.”

Frank said Steve weighed 10lb 4oz when he was born and he remembers the nurse who helped to deliver him saying he was going to grow up to be a rugby player.

Over the course of his career Steve played for Glasgow Academicals and Glasgow Hawks in Scotland as well as Watsonians in Edinburgh and Old Belvedere in Dublin.

"Steve was a true role model...behind his fun-loving attitude to life was a steely determination to succeed" - Duncan Stanley

His try wrapped up the 2004 Premiership title for the Glasgow Hawks. He also played for Hamilton in South Africa as well as spells at Lyon, Brive and Strasbourg in France.

Steve represented Scottish Exiles and owing to his grandmother’s Scottish heritage represented national sides in Scotland up to under-21s.

His father said he was on the verge of making the senior national team before an injury setback.

Outside of sport, Steve was well respected in the world of financial services.

After leaving school he worked for engineering group Babtie in Maidstone.

He earned a degree in commerce and business management from the University of Paisley after he studied during the evenings and completed a correspondence course.

In 2007, he set up Begley Brown Financial Solutions in Glasgow with Chris Brown.

Steve moved to Singapore in 2012 and had been working as a financial consultant at St James’s Place Wealth Management.

He kept up his passion for rugby, playing for the Singapore Bucks veterans team and coaching a ladies’ team at the same club.

His funeral will be on Friday, September 29, at midday at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing, followed by a celebration at Sheppey Rugby Club from 1.30pm.

Donations are welcome to help fund the modification of the home of former rugby player Paul Curtis following a life-changing mountain bike accident last year.

• Go to justgiving.com/fundraising/the-munch