Robbie Parker grew up in the suburb of Dee Why on Sydney’s northern beaches. He played junior rugby league on the weekends and represented Manly-Warringah in the under 15’s.
He received his secondary education at Manly High School which was a rugby union school. Robbie along with his good mate Stephen Knight were members of the Manly High rugby union team which took all before them in 1966.
Life on the northern beaches in those years was very much about the surf culture and football. Many of his mates spent their time at the Manly Surf Club in summer. In winter it would be rugby union with the Manly Marlins.
Robbie played one hundred and one First Grade games with the Manly Rugby Union Club. In 1973 he followed Stephen Knight across to play rugby league with Wests.
Robbie Parker leaping over Stephen Knight
