Eric Cox
Encyclopedia
Eric Holsbury Cox OAM
(1923 – 4 December 2006) was an Australia
n rugby league
coach, referee and administrator.
in 1923. He joined the Royal Australian Navy
in 1940, serving on HMAS Kanimbla
during World War II
. After the war Cox transferred to the civilian arm of the Navy, working as a public service administrator until his retirement. He maintained a strong interest in Navy Rugby League.
After playing football in Lismore
, Brisbane
and Townsville, Cox returned to Sydney to coach the St. George
Presidents Cup team in 1950. He gained his referees certificate in 1951 and went on to referee in district and state competitions.
Cox's career in rugby league administration began in 1955 as Secretary of the St George Referees Association. He was subsequently elected as Secretary of the New South Wales Rugby League
(NSWRL) Referees Association, a position he held from 1963 to 1977. During that time he was appointed manager of the 1966 NSWRL team for its annual series against the Queensland Rugby League
.
In 1971, Cox returned to coaching. He coached Alexander Mackie College in the University Cup
competition, the team winning the premiership from 1971 to 1974.
In 1978, Cox was appointed as the inaugural Director of Referees for the NSWRL, responsible for the appointment of all referees in the state competition. He held that position for five years.
Cox then moved to the position of Ground Manager, being responsible for the administration of all on-ground activity including players, officials and television crews. During this time he was noted for running a "tight ship" and nothing untoward happened on his watch, however, he displayed his softer side through actions such as ensuring the game ball was presented to a retiring player. Cox was cited as assisting bad boy John Hopoate
to become a referee despite Cox's involvement in Hopoate's banning several months earlier. He also lodged a complaint against South Sydney
cheerleaders for wearing too-brief costumes.
Cox died on 4 December 2006 from a stroke
and pneumonia
, the result of asbestosis
. His wife of fifty-nine years, Colleen, died twelve weeks later. They are survived by their three children, Christopher, David and Julie.
(OAM) on 10 June 2002 for "service to Rugby League football as a player, referee, coach and administrator".
He had earlier been awarded the Australian Sports Medal
in 2000 for "lifelong involvement with Rugby League".
Other honours awarded to Cox include life memberships of the New South Wales Rugby League
(NSWRL) and the NSWRL Referees Association, the Australian Rugby League
Referees Association and the St George Referees Association.
Bankstown City Council named a local park in Cox's honour.
The Australian Navy Rugby League champion team is awarded The Bosun's Cup, named after Cox, who was a bosun during World War II.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(1923 – 4 December 2006) was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
coach, referee and administrator.
Career
Cox was born in Burwood, New South WalesBurwood, New South Wales
Burwood is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Burwood is located 12 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of Burwood Council....
in 1923. He joined the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
in 1940, serving on HMAS Kanimbla
HMAS Kanimbla (1936)
HMAS Kanimbla was a passenger ship converted for use as an armed merchant cruiser and landing ship infantry during World War II. Built during the mid-1930s as the passenger liner MV Kanimbla for McIlwraith McEachern Limited, the ship operated in Australian waters until 1939, when she was...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war Cox transferred to the civilian arm of the Navy, working as a public service administrator until his retirement. He maintained a strong interest in Navy Rugby League.
After playing football in Lismore
Lismore, New South Wales
Lismore is a subtropical town in northeastern New South Wales, Australia. Lismore is the main population centre in the City of Lismore local government area. Lismore is a regional centre in the Northern Rivers region of the State.-History:...
, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
and Townsville, Cox returned to Sydney to coach the St. George
St. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
Presidents Cup team in 1950. He gained his referees certificate in 1951 and went on to referee in district and state competitions.
Cox's career in rugby league administration began in 1955 as Secretary of the St George Referees Association. He was subsequently elected as Secretary of the New South Wales Rugby League
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
(NSWRL) Referees Association, a position he held from 1963 to 1977. During that time he was appointed manager of the 1966 NSWRL team for its annual series against the Queensland Rugby League
Queensland Rugby League
The Queensland Rugby Football League is the governing body for rugby league in Queensland. It is a member of the Australian Rugby League and selects the members of Queensland State of Origin teams....
.
In 1971, Cox returned to coaching. He coached Alexander Mackie College in the University Cup
NSW Tertiary Student Rugby League
The NSW Tertiary Student Rugby League is an affiliated body of the New South Wales Rugby League, established to promote the development of Rugby League within Universities, TAFE and other Tertiary Institutes within the state of NSW....
competition, the team winning the premiership from 1971 to 1974.
In 1978, Cox was appointed as the inaugural Director of Referees for the NSWRL, responsible for the appointment of all referees in the state competition. He held that position for five years.
Cox then moved to the position of Ground Manager, being responsible for the administration of all on-ground activity including players, officials and television crews. During this time he was noted for running a "tight ship" and nothing untoward happened on his watch, however, he displayed his softer side through actions such as ensuring the game ball was presented to a retiring player. Cox was cited as assisting bad boy John Hopoate
John Hopoate
John Hopoate is a former professional rugby league footballer and boxer. He played club football for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Wests Tigers and Northern Eagles in the National Rugby League competition. Hopoate also gained selection for Tonga, in the Australian national team and in the New...
to become a referee despite Cox's involvement in Hopoate's banning several months earlier. He also lodged a complaint against South Sydney
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
cheerleaders for wearing too-brief costumes.
Cox died on 4 December 2006 from a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
and pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, the result of asbestosis
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic medical condition affecting the parenchymal tissue of the lungs caused by the inhalation and retention of asbestos fibers...
. His wife of fifty-nine years, Colleen, died twelve weeks later. They are survived by their three children, Christopher, David and Julie.
Honours
Cox was awarded the Medal of the Order of AustraliaOrder of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(OAM) on 10 June 2002 for "service to Rugby League football as a player, referee, coach and administrator".
He had earlier been awarded the Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
in 2000 for "lifelong involvement with Rugby League".
Other honours awarded to Cox include life memberships of the New South Wales Rugby League
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
(NSWRL) and the NSWRL Referees Association, the Australian Rugby League
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
Referees Association and the St George Referees Association.
Bankstown City Council named a local park in Cox's honour.
The Australian Navy Rugby League champion team is awarded The Bosun's Cup, named after Cox, who was a bosun during World War II.
Obituaries
- 'The Bosun' will be sadly missed (Fox SportsFox Sports (Australia)Fox Sports is an Australia group of sports channels. They are owned by the Premier Media Group, which is in turn owned by News Corporation, and Consolidated Media Holdings. Its main competitors are ESPN, which has little local content and the free-to-air digital channel One HD...
) - League legend Eric Cox O.A.M. passes away (New South Wales Rugby LeagueNew South Wales Rugby LeagueThe New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
)