TRIBUTES have poured in for a talented young hockey player who died suddenly after collapsing before a match.

Holly Monk, who played at Norton Hockey Club, near Stockton, was warming up when she is understood to have suffered a heart attack and passed away on November 20 aged just 18.

Team-mates of the teenager paid a special tribute to her at the weekend by all wearing shirts with Monk and love hearts on the back.

Writing on Facebook after Norton's 3-2 victory, Emily Good, one of Holly's coaches, said: "We all knew that this match was going to be the hardest match we were ever going to play and and watch, but we pulled each other through to the very end.

"With grit, tears, excitement and laughter, we fought throughout and we did her proud."

A team-mate of Holly's added: "She will be missed by all the members at the club."

Holly was also a keen sailor and and was a member of Ullswater Yacht Club.

A spokesperson for the club said: "Holly has been a member of the club just for a few years but she’s made a big impact with some of the younger members.

"She has sailed a 29er at Ullswater also she sailed a RS Feva at Windermere School.

"Holly you will be dearly missed and our thoughts are with you parents and the rest of the family."

Phil Hyman, head teacher at Kirkbie Kendal School where Holly attended, described her as an "excellent young person".

"She was a super student - she was friendly, outgoing, very active in sports, and teachers have told me she really loved to get to grips with every aspect of the subjects she studied.

"She was an excellent young person in all aspects and we're all very sad to hear the tragic news and our thoughts and condolences go to the family."