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Members of the esports community have paid their respects to UK Rocket League player Millie ‘Duckz’ Ward, who has sadly passed away aged 23.
Duckz had played for a range of teams, and was part of the women’s roster on UK esports organisation Resolve in late 2022 and 2023.
She also competed in multiple tournaments over the years, with wins at Insomnia, Raidiant, Guild’s Boost Championship, Ally Women’s Opens, Women’s Car Ball Championships (WCBC) and other competitions.
Duckz helped Williams Resolve win the WPC women’s Rocket League EU January Invitational last year, won the women’s Rocket League Showmatch at the first Olympic Esports Week, won Insomnia 69 and more.
She played alongside players including Stvn, Duckz, Vix, Kingjs, Crimson and more.
One of her former coaches, Wales talent Euan ‘Tadpole’ Ingram, posted the following on X on September 15th 2024: “Today I’ve been informed that Millie ‘Duckz’ Ward has passed away. Her family would like to inform friends and the community of her passing. I’m shocked and incredibly saddened by this horrific news, and my condolences go to her close friends and family at this time.”
The Resolve account added:
Fellow UK esports organisation, Endpoint, added: “RIP Duckz. A worthy opponent and a pillar of the community. Sorry for your loss and best wishes to her family from everyone at Endpoint CeX.”
Another UK women’s Rocket League player, Slumpii, commented: “I’m devastated.
“For those of you who don’t know, Millie was my ex. She was kind, funny, thoughtful, a bloody great Rocket League player and above all else, a good friend.
“We won tournaments and shared great memories together and thats something I won’t ever forget. She was very much a pillar of the women’s Rocket League community and will be sorely missed.”
Slumpii
“Please check up on your friends, family and those you love. Rest in peace Millie.”
Vix, who previously competed with Duckz, said: “Rest in peace, Duckz. You were nothing but kind to me when I met you in bootcamp. Although shy at first, you were lovely and funny. You won’t be forgotten.”
Many other members of the esports, Rocket League and gaming communities paid tribute to Duckz, in the tweets embedded above.
Former Counter-Strike player, and current exec producer at Raidiant, sapphiRe, said: “This is unimaginably devastating. Duckz was a pillar in the women’s community, always positive, always hard working and respected by so many. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.”
Liquipedia also honoured her passing, with the homepage stating: “In memory of Millie ‘Duckz’ Ward, rest in peace.”
Reddit users also paid tribute to Duckz in this post.
Rest in peace, Duckz.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
