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Noel Raymond “Ned” Kelly OAM

Hall of Fame
Team of the Century

HERITAGE No: 595

WESTS LIFE MEMBER No: 95

BIRTH: 22 January 1936
Ipswich, Queensland
DEATH: 14 June 2020 Sydney, NSW
DEATH: 14 June 2020
Sydney, NSW

OCCUPATION: Butcher, 1958; Smallgoods, 1977, 1980

RESIDENCE: James St Goodna, Queensland, 1958; Dunstan St Moorooka, Queensland, 1958; Suffolk Ave Collaroy Plateau, NSW, 1977, 1980

GAME HISTORY

  • Goodna (Ipswich) RL
  • Ipswich Railways RL 1956, 1957
  • Ipswich Brothers RL 1958, 1959
  • Ipswich Bulimba Cup RL 1958
  • Ayr RL (Player/Coach)1960
  • Queensland RL Firsts v NSW RL Firsts 1959, 1960
  • Queensland RL Firsts v New Zealand RL 1959
  • Queensland RL Firsts v France RL 1960
  • Wests RL First Grade 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
  • Wests RL Pre Season Cup 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
  • Wests RL State Cup 1964
  • Wests RL AMPOL Cup 1963
  • Sydney RL Firsts v South Africa RL 1963
  • Sydney RL Firsts v France RL 1964
  • City RL Firsts v Country RL Firsts 1963, 1964
  • NSW RL Firsts v Queensland RL Firsts 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967
  • NSW RL v Great Britain RL 1966
  • Australia RL v New Zealand RL 1959, 1963, 1967
  • Australia RL v Italy RL 1959
  • Australia RL v France RL 1960, 1964, 1967
  • Australia RL v South Africa RL 1963
  • Australia RL v Great Britain RL 1966, 1967
  • Australian RL Kangaroo Tour 1959-60, 1963-64, 1967-68
  • Australian RL World Cup Tour 1960
  • Australia RL v France RL (World Cup) 1960
  • Australia RL v New Zealand RL (World Cup) 1960
  • Australia RL v Great Britain (World Cup) 1960
  • Wollongong RL (Player/Coach) 1970
  • Wests RL (Coach) 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
  • North Sydney RL (Coach) 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976

 

Accolades

  • Wests RL Team of the Century (Captain and Hooker) 2004
  • Wests RL Team of the 1960’s – (Hooker)
  • Wests RL Life Member No.95
  • ARL and NRL 100 Greatest Players (1908-2007) 2008
  • Australian RL Team of the Century (Hooker) 2008
  • NRL Hall of Fame (Hooker/Prop) Inductee No.59
  • Queensland RL Team of the Century (Hooker) 2008
  • Wests Tigers Team of the Century 2003
  • Wests Tigers RL Annual Best Forward Award named in his Honor
  • Medal of Order of Australia (OAM) Service to Rugby League 2018
  • Men of League Founding Board Member 2002-2014
  • Men of League Welfare Committee Member/Officer 2002 2014
  • Men of League Life Member 2016
  • Life Member Sydney Cricket Ground
  • Australia Day Ambassador (10 Years)
  • Past Commentator – Channel 7 Sports Action Program
  • Australian Sports Medal 2000

Noel

Under Construction

Noel Raymond Kelly was born in the Ipswich district of Queensland in 1936. He grew up in the Ipswich suburb of Goodna where he played his junior rugby league. By 1958 he was playing with Ipswich Brothers and Bulimba Cup football.

At Ipswich, Noel was part of a powerful front row with Gary Parcell and Dud Beatie. He was soon recognised by the Selectors and played for Queensland and Australia in 1959.

He came down to Sydney in 1961 and joined Wests where he played one hundred and eleven premiership games, all in First Grade. An uncompromising player, he was sent off on seventeen occasions, some of which were for scrum infringements.

Noel was inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2008. The Hall of Fame web site has a tribute including video to Noel Kelly which can be viewed by clicking on the Noel Kelly Hall of Fame.

The Noel Kelly story is still “Under Construction” and further information will be added over time. Pratten Park Magpies have also created a tribute to Noel which can be accessed by clicking on Noel Kelly tribute.

Noel Kelly in Action

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