‘Skip’ O’Donnell: league player, selector, coach
Mr Alphonsus (Skip) O’Donnell, who died in Christchurch on Monday, fashioned a notable record as a rugby league player, selector and coach during a long association with the sport.
A utility back, Mr O’Donnell played for Blackball, the West Coast township which proved, by decisively beating the Auckland champion, that it had the strongest club side in New Zealand in the late 19405. In 1950, Mr O’Donnell was a centre in the South Island team which beat North, 1912, and he was a contempo-
rary of such exceptionally gifted players as Jack Forrest, George Menzies, John Newton, Charlie Mcßride, and Frank Mulcare during what were regarded as the golden years of rugby league on the West Coast.
“Skip was one of the most brilliant footballers that I have ever seen. He was a natural, no matter where he was placed in the back-line,” said the president of the West Coast Rugby League, Mr J. R. Williams, yesterday. After his retirement, Mr O’Donnell turned his attention to selection and coaching. He guided West Coast squads from schoolboy to senior levels and at one stage was solely responsible for the selecting and coaching of the West Coast first XIII.
The O’Donnell family moved to Christchurch nine
years ago and Mr O’Donnell was the co-selector, with Mr Harry Walker, of the Canterbury representative teams in 1972 and 1973. The highlight was a 16-16 draw with Auckland at Carlaw Park, a match in which one of Mr O’Donnell’s sons, Michael, kicked five goals.
A firm and fair administrator, Mr O’Donnell had the ability to relate to players and there was a mutual respect between him and the members of the squads that he selected.
Mr O’Donnell’s family has a proud rugby league record. In addition to his own accomplishments, a brother, Bob, was a New Zealand representative in 1952, the oldest of his four sons, Michael, gained Kiwi honours in 1977 and 1978, and another son, Wayne, has played for West Coast and Canterbury.
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Press, 29 August 1979, Page 38
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336‘Skip’ O’Donnell: league player, selector, coach Press, 29 August 1979, Page 38
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