James Edward 'Ted' Dawson (1923 – 27 October 2019) was an Australian

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s.

A lifetime in rugby league

One old man's long life in Rugby League was rewarded when 94 year old Ted Dawson of Waratah-Mayfield was asked to present trophy awards to the Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs players for winning their division in 2017. Ted's long life with the Waratah-Mayfield Rugby League Club started as a 12 year old schoolboy during the great depression years in 1935. At that time Ted was selected to represent NSW schools on a one-month tour of Queensland but had to provide 6 Pounds towards the cost. This amount could not be afforded by his family but the Waratah-Mayfield Rugby League District Club heard of Ted's plight & took the hat around. Ted was able to make the tour & that gesture from the club has never been forgotten. Ted's long Service to the club there after are as follows: 1935 State-NSW V Queensland aged 12 years, 1942 Waratah-Mayfield 19 years, 1944 Waratah-Mayfield 21 years, 1947 NSW Country v City 24 years, 1948 NSW Country v City 25 years, 1948 NSW Country V New Zealand 25 years, 1948 Newcastle v New Zealand 25 years, 1948 Newcastle v Queensland 25 years, 1949 NSW Country v City 26 years, 1949 New South Wales v Queensland 26 years, 1950 Bigga-Canberra Area Player Coach 27 years, 1950 Country Monaro v England 27 years, 1950 NSW Country v City aged 27 years.

St. George

In 1951, Dawson transferred to

St. George Saint George (Greek: Γεώργιος (Geórgios), Latin: Georgius, Arabic: القديس جرجس; died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was a Christian who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to tradition he was a soldier ...

as a possible replacement for

Frank Facer Francis Henry Facer (8 August 1919 – 16 January 1978) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s at North Sydney and St George. After he retired from playing, he became a noted sports administrator at St Geo ...

, who had recently retired from playing. After completing one season, Dawson was forced to retire due to a rib cartilage continuous problem aged 28 years.Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, 1995. Dawson returned to Newcastle and was approached by Waratah to coach in 1952. After a number of years coaching joined the administration of the club & later on as Director of Newcastle Rugby League.

Accolades

LIFE MEMBERSHIP's: 1. Waratah Mayfield Junior & Senior Bodies 2. Newcastle Rugby League as Director.

References

Australian rugby league players Rugby league hookers St. George Dragons players Australian rugby league administrators New South Wales rugby league team players Country New South Wales rugby league team players 1923 births 2019 deaths Rugby league players from Newcastle, New South Wales {{Australia-rugbyleague-bio-1920s-stub