FINGAL Bay rugby league identity Neil Parfitt has stumbled on an interesting concept to help raise funds for the Family of League Foundation charity.
The evergreen historian is chasing up names of former rugby league players from any era now residing in the Bay to form a hypothetical “Fingal Bay Residents United Rugby League” team.
“This is purely for fun and on paper only and a great talking point for rugby league enthusiasts in the Port Stephens region,” the sporting diehard told News Of The Area.
“It is a fine concept for conversation and connection and to uncover former rugby league players living right here in our community that you may not have known about,” he explained.
The players nominated would donate a minimum $10 to register and be part of the Fingal Bay Residents United team, with all proceeds to benefit the Family of League Foundation.
Neil outlined that the criteria for selection was that the players must reside or own property in Fingal Bay and must have played rugby league at senior level in any era.
Former top grade rugby league stars now residing in Fingal Bay include ex-Penrith, Western Suburbs, Cronulla and NSW State of Origin forward workhorse Paul Merlo and hooker Peter Raper, the younger brother of rugby league Immortal Johnny Raper.
All have registered to be part of the Residents United team.
Others include former Newtown, Balmain and South Sydney speed merchant Ray Falbush and legendary Nelson Bay forwards John McKiernan, David Hair and Mark Patch.
Falbush had a chance to qualify for the Olympics and became a professional sprinter and fitness guru in the Balmain district.
He was conditioner for Harry Bath’s Babes – the Grand Final winning St George Dragons that captured the 1977 and 1979 NSWRL premierships.
“The Residents United rugby league team concept could also take in neighbouring towns like Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Corlette, Soldiers Point and Salamander Bay down the track,” Neil added.
Parfitt was a dashing winger with the Nelson Bay Eels during the 1980s before the club amalgamated with the Norths Newcastle Bluebags.
His father Bill Parfitt was a clever half back with the Waratah-Mayfield club in the Newcastle premiership and a keen rugby league historian – a trait that was passed on to his son.
Neil later became the founding president of the Fingal Bay Bomboras in 1998 and was part of a group of local league stalwarts that helped establish the club in the Lower Hunter rugby league competition.
“My goal is to keep reviving these fascinating rugby league eras and re-telling the stories of bygone years as part of a connected sporting community,” quipped Neil.
For further details contact Neil Parfitt on 0408 684 767 or email asudonlp@gmail.com.
By Chris KARAS
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