James Edward Dawson (1923 – 27 October 2019) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s.
A lifetime in rugby league One old man's long life in Rugby League was rewarded when 94 year old Ted Dawson of Waratah-Mayfield was asked to present trophy awards to the Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs players for winning their division in 2017. Ted's long life with the Waratah-Mayfield Rugby League Club started as a 12 year old schoolboy during the great depression years in 1935. At that time Ted was selected to represent NSW schools on a one-month tour of Queensland but had to provide 6 Pounds towards the cost. This amount could not be afforded by his family but the Waratah-Mayfield Rugby League District Club heard of Ted's plight & took the hat around. Ted was able to make the tour & that gesture from the club has never been forgotten.
Ted's long Service to the club there after are as follows: 1935 State-NSW V Queensland aged 12 years, 1942 Waratah-Mayfield 19 years, 1944 Waratah-Mayfield 21 years, 1947 NSW Country v City 24 years, 1948 NSW Country v City 25 years, 1948 NSW Country V New Zealand 25 years, 1948 Newcastle v New Zealand 25 years, 1948 Newcastle v Queensland 25 years, 1949 NSW Country v City 26 years, 1949 New South Wales v Queensland 26 years, 1950 Bigga-Canberra Area Player Coach 27 years, 1950 Country Monaro v England 27 years, 1950 NSW Country v City aged 27 years.Waratah Mayfield Cheetahs Face book page - https://www.facebook.com/waratahmayfieldcheetahs/posts/how-great-was-it-to-see-ted-dawson-at-the-seniors-grand-finalted-dawson-born-192/1684246741616500/
St. George In 1951, Dawson transferred to St. George as a possible replacement for Frank Facer, who had recently retired from playing.Sydney Morning Herald "St.George Sign Two" (27/2/1951) https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18201415?searchTerm=%22ted%20dawson%22%20waratah%20mayfield&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales|||l-decade=195 After completing one season, Dawson was forced to retire due to a rib cartilage continuous problem aged 28 years.Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, 1995.
Dawson returned to Newcastle and was approached by Waratah to coach in 1952. After a number of years coaching joined the administration of the club & later on as Director of Newcastle Rugby League.
Accolades
LIFE MEMBERSHIP's: 1. Waratah Mayfield Junior & Senior Bodies 2. Newcastle Rugby League as Director.
References