John “Jack” Rosa was one of nine siblings born in the small community of Riverstone in Sydney’s far west. He was known as “Jack” when he played rugby league with Wests, but was known as “Don” in his younger days. Riverstone’s largest employer was the meat works but his father was the local agent for J. W. Chandler, undertaker of Windsor. Jack was employed by the NSW Railways.
Reports of local rugby league matches and results in the Western Districts was sporadic during the 1920’s. However Jack Rosa was a prominent junior player and mention of him has been found in past newspapers. The Riverstone Historical Society has taken an interest in the origins of rugby league in that district and this has also been a source of information on Jack.
