Rugby League History Western & Southern NSW 1920-1976. This book is a revised edition of previous book.
This revised book takes the reader on a journey through the history of football (rugby league) in the Western and Southern districts of NSW from 1920-1976 and from its inaugural beginning through the golden years in country NSW. It encompasses groups 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15.
Much of the content has been sourced from newspaper reports and photographs of players and teams throughout the decades. It is divided into three sections.
The first section consists of a summary of each decade and includes the great moments for teams and players. Records were made with some still remaining. Great players and coaches emerged such as Ian Walsh, Bob Weir, John Hobby, Leo Nosworthy, Don Parish, Tony Paskins, Barry Beath, Norm Brown, Earl Harrison and Ken McMullen.
Records were made and remain in groups 10, 11 and 14. Baradine won 5 consecutive group 14 premierships (1951-1955). Eugowra won 5 consecutive group 11 premierships (1963-1967) and Oberon won 7 consecutive group 10 premierships (1960-1967).
The second section highlights players who aspired to represent their region, Southern and Western being predominant with both producing a number of representative players. This book highlights the years and successes of the teams and players. Southern and Western Division teams played England, New Zealand and French touring teams from the 1920s -1970s. Country trials were also held to select the country Firsts and Seconds teams to play their city rivals each year. Great players emerged from the country teams with some selected to play for Australia. Also included is the 1974 Amco Cup.
The third section focusses in particular on the Maher Cup, which was initiated in the southern region and the Jack Hore Cup which was founded in the western region.
The Maher cup produced some of the greatest rugby league players including Eric Weissel and Jack Kingston who both went on to represent Australia. It covers the inaugural cup challenge (1920) to its final challenge (1971) and its retirement to Tumut.
The Jack Hore Memorial Gold Cup was instigated by the Canowindra town's people after the sudden death of Jack Hore, an extremely talented sportsman who played cricket and football for Canowindra. The first challenge match was in 1926 where Canowindra defeated Young. Rex Norman was captain coach for Canowindra in its earlier cup challenges. Included in the book are stories of the challenges and events through the years of its existence.
The Johnnie Walker and Clayton Cups are also examined. The Johnnie Walker Challenge Cup was initiated in 1922 at a meeting in Dubbo and came to rest in the 1980s.
The Clayton Cup is highlighted as an award of supremacy for outstanding country rugby league teams.
Cobar won the award in 1971 and 1972.
Throughout all sections there are numerous pictures and photos depicting teams, individual players, action shots, cartoons, souvenir programmes and trophies. There has been a number of updated photos and stories included in this revised edition.
Rugby league football is more than just a thrilling spectacle of 26 players demonstrating their skills on the field. The principal strength of rugby league is that it gives ordinary people the opportunity to show their talents and skills.
Greg Riach was born in Parkes NSW and attended both Parkes primary and high schools. Although he played rugby league in five sevens and six sevens school teams, as well as in knockout carnivals and intra school matches, rugby league was not to be his sport of choice. All of his friends played hockey and so at the age of sixteen he joined them and continued playing until the age of thirty-one.Greg played and coached premiership winning teams and coached Western Districts Colts Hockey Team in the Zone Championships held in Parkes, defeating Sydney in the final. He was also the holder of NSW State Hockey Umpires Badge.Greg's teaching qualifications include Diploma of Education, Bachelor of Education Degree, Diploma HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering. As a teacher he compiled and wrote a number of technical student manuals for trade and diploma courses.Greg eventually retired from Ultimo TAFE as Head of the Refrigeration and Airconditioning Section in July 2018. Although he has spent almost half of his life in Sydney, he still has solid roots in the country and as was once said, "You can take the boy from the country but you can't take the country from the boy."
