Richard Keith Bolton (4 June 1943 – 13 May 2024) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer, manager, and coach who represented New Zealand.[1]
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| Full name | Richard Keith Bolton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 4 June 1943 New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 13 May 2024 (aged 80) New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
editBolton was an Auckland representative and played in one Test match for the New Zealand national rugby league team, the second Test against Australia in 1972.[2] He captained the New Zealand Māori side which won the 1975 Pacific Cup.[1][3]
Coaching career
editAfter retirement Bolton turned to coaching. He coached the New Zealand Māori side to wins in the 1986 and 1988 Pacific Cups, and also coached Waikato in 1987 and 1988.[4][5] During this time, Bolton also served on the New Zealand Māori Rugby League board between 1983 and 1984.[3] He later served as trainer of the 1990 New Zealand Māori side.[6]
Later years
editBolton served as the manager of the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1992 and 1993 under coach Howie Tamati.[7]
In 1994, Bolton was employed by the New Zealand Rugby League as the national development officer. In this role, he is credited with establishing the national secondary schools competition.[8] He retired from this role in 1997,[9] but returned to the position in 2002 and also managed the Junior Kiwis in 2005.[10][11] In 2009, he was the Auckland Rugby League's deputy chairman.[12]
Bolton died on 13 May 2024, at the age of 80.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ BOLTON, Richard Keith - 1972 nzleague.co.nz
- ^ a b John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. ISBN 9781869693312.
- ^ 1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p.p.128-130
- ^ Lion Red 1988 Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1988. p.p.142-145
- ^ "The passing of Kiwi #499 Richard Bolton |". Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Rattue, Chris (4 May 2011). "Anzac clash shapes up to be close battle". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ National Secondary Schools RL nzrl.co.nz
- ^ Final provides a fond finale for retiring Bolton[dead link] Sunday Star-Times, 6 July 1997
- ^ New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.182
- ^ Junior Kiwis Tie Series Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League, 30 July 2005
- ^ Memo to all clubs and affiliates aucklandleague.co.nz, 16 February 2010
- ^ "Richard Bolton obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.