Wally Wilson QSM

Wally started playing rugby league as a ten year old for Linwood in 1962 and played through all the age groups making Canterbury Representative teams throughout the grades.

In 1969 he captained the Under 17s Canterbury and Southern Zone teams and went on to be selected for the Under 17s Kiwi team. In 1971 he had his first season for the Linwood Premiers and played over 400 games for the Keas over 15 seasons. He then hung up his boots and retired from playing and started coaching.

He played his first game for the Canterbury Rugby League senior representative team in 1972 and was the captain for many years. Over his 45 plus games for the province he was very fortunate to be coached by Cary Clark in 1975 when they won the N.P.C and Rothmans Cup beating Auckland at Carlaw Park. He played in the Australian Amco Cup Competition in 1976 when Canterbury was invited, and then later with the South Island side when they won the district Championship.

Wally was also selected in the Kiwi team under coach Ces Mountford in the 1981 test series win over France that was played in New Zealand.

A selector for the Canterbury team which was coached by Frank Endacott in the early 1990’s. He then took over the coaching role when Frank joined the Warriors in 1994 and went on to win the N.P.C Championship Final over Auckland.

He was a board member of the CRL Junior Board and then the Senior Board of Control in the mid to late 90’s.

Outside of rugby league he has held many positions on boards such as Chairman of Canterbury Surf Life Saving , Board Member of N.Z Surf Life Saving, and Chairman of the Board at South Brighton School. Wally still has a lot to give to the game which has been a major part of his life and he is very proud to have received a Queens Service Medal for services to Rugby League and Surf Life Saving in 2011.

This was not only an award for him but to his family whom have been such a great support team over many years.