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Jim Duckworth (rugby league)

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Jim Duckworth
Personal information
Full nameJames Joseph Duckworth
Born1908
Balmain, New South Wales
Died2 July 1967 (aged 58–59)
Rozelle, New South Wales
Playing information
PositionCentre, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1928–38 Balmain 44 14 33 0 108
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1948–50 St. George 64 38 5 21 59
1951 Balmain 18 6 0 12 33
Total 82 44 5 33 54
Source: [1]

James Joseph Duckworth (1908-1967) was an Australian rugby league footballer, a premiership winning coach and administrator.

Playing career

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Duckworth was born in 1908 at Balmain, New South Wales who came through the junior ranks to play first grade for the Balmain club. He played nine seasons with Balmain between 1928-1933 and between 1936-1938, although he spent two years at Cessnock and Port Macquarie during 1934-35.

Balmain Premiers 1939 - Duckworth back row 3rd from right

Coaching and administrative career

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He returned to coach Port Macquarie and Kempsey teams in the war years before coming to St. George as first grade coach in 1948. Duckworth coached the Saints between 1948-1950, and won the 1949 Grand Final with them. He fell out with the club at the end of 1950 and returned to his old club, Balmain to coach them for the 1951 season without success.

Duckworth later moved into rugby league administration, firstly as a state and then as an Australian selector. He went on to become a Director and Vice-President of the NSWRFL, under Bill Buckley until he died suddenly in 1967.[2]

Death

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He died suddenly on 2 July 1967, at his Rozelle, New South Wales home.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Jim Duckworth - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. ^ Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995 (ISBN 1875169571)
  3. ^ Sydney Morning Herald: Death and Funeral Notice 3/7/1967 & 4/7/1967.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Athol Smith
1948–1950
Coach

Balmain

1951
Succeeded by
Arthur Patton
1952–1953
Preceded by Coach

St George

1948–1950
Succeeded by
Johnny Hawke
1951–1952