Wests Archive would like to thank Vicki Knight, Jack’s grand-daughter, for providing information in the preparation of this profile.
John “Jack Nicholson was born at Newtown, NSW in 1919. His father, James Edward Hosking Nicholson, is believed to have played for Wests in 1914 (Player #143).
James Nicholson also played rugby union for Easts, Wests and Souths. He represented Metropolis in rugby union and played against the New Zealand Maori. He was described in newspaper reports as a “miniature but clever half.”
There is not much known about Jack Nicholson’s junior rugby league career but he had a stellar introduction to First Grade rugby league in April 1945. However this rising star faded very quickly.
Jack was an enthusiastic rugby league man and went on to have an involvement in the game as a referee/linesman and junior rugby league coach. Perhaps he is best remembered for his involvement in the abandoned NSW v England game in 1954.
