Ron Massey (died; 19 September 2016) was an Australian rugby league coach and football club CEO.[1]
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| Died | 19 September 2016 (aged 86) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Biography
editMassey although not a top level coach is considered a hugely influential figure in the history of Australian rugby league. He helped Jack Gibson lead the Roosters and Eels to premierships in 1974–75 and 1981–83 respectively. The two men travelled to the US to study techniques and trends in American football and pioneered use of video analysis in rugby league.
Massey was CEO of the Cronulla Sharks from 1990 to 1991 and served on video review panels for both the ARL and the NRL. Massey was a mentor to figures such as Wayne Bennett, Paul Gallen, Ricky Stuart and John Quayle.[2][3][4][5]
Bennett said "Ron Massey won't be in the Hall of Fame, but he helped men like me get in the Hall of Fame because of what he gave us. He had a great brain and was a wonderful man. In my coaching life I would have rung him at least once a week. I was very lucky he befriended me."[6]
Jack Gibson later reflected in an interview in 1995:
I couldn’t of got anybody better than Ron to help me because he was never a ‘yes man’. Under no circumstances would he agree with me just to please me... he was like an enemy. If you ever want to know your faults you go and talk to your enemies for a while because you know they’ll tell you. Massey was that way. He’d have his suggestions, I not always agreed with him either but the only reason I wanted him was because that wasn’t the proposition. We disagreed many times, but it always made me think. He’d be concerned. He’d pick up things I’d missed out on. So he helped me through the good times and the bad times. Winning games and losing games. He contributed.[7]
Death and legacy
editMassey lost part of his lower left leg to gangrene in 2012,[3] He died on 19 September 2016, from cancer, aged 86.[1]
The Ron Massey Cup is named after him. He helped establish the Men of League Foundation.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Pengilly, Adam (19 September 2016). "Rugby league tactician Ron Massey dies, aged 86". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
- ^ "Rugby league icon passes". Inside Sport. 19 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Rugby league legend Ron Massey dies aged 86 after illness battle". Daily Telegraph. 19 September 2016.
- ^ "Massey inspires Sharks to NRL grand final". SBS. 24 September 2016.
- ^ Proszenko, Adrian (19 September 2016). "Why Ron Massey's counsel was the most valuable in rugby league". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "Wayne Bennett credits Ron Massey ahead of NRL Hall of Fame induction". Australian Broadcasting Commission. 21 August 2024.
- ^ "Hall of Fame: How Gibson revolutionised rugby league". NRL. 6 August 2024.
- ^ Walsh, Dan (19 September 2016). "League legend Ron Massey passes away after long battle with cancer". Fox Sports.