Tom McCauley was educated at Marist Brothers Darlinghurst, Sydney and St Stanislaus, Bathurst, NSW.
He was a noted athlete competing under the auspices of the NSW Amateur Athletic Association. Tom was first recorded competing with the Parkes Harriers in 1912 at Ashfield, then the YMCA Club in 1913. Later that year he joined the Western Suburbs Amateur Athletic Club.
He competed with the Wests Club until 1916. Tom was a scratch runner who competed mainly in 100 yard and 200 yard sprints with the occasional relay event.
His interest with athletics continued and he was elected as a Vice President of the Western Suburbs AA Club in 1918.
Tom McCauley also played grade cricket with the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club.
In researching Tom McCauley’s rugby league career it is evident that he also used another name. He played with Wests for a period under the name of Ted Boland.
It is unknown why he used this name and there has been much speculation, but it may have had something to do with his other pursuits particularly as an athlete where he may have wanted to maintain an amateur status.
The name Boland was his middle name and also the maiden name of his mother.
