Bill Dempsey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bill DempseyMBE |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | William Brian Dempsey | ||
| Date of birth | 17 March 1942 | ||
| Place of birth | Birdum, Northern Territory | ||
| Position(s) | Ruckman, back pocket | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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William Brian Dempsey (born 17 March 1942) is a famous former Australian rules football player. He was given a special award called the MBE for his great work in sports. Bill Dempsey played for the Darwin Football Club and the West Perth Football Club. He is a member of two important Halls of Fame for football. These are the AFL Northern Territory Hall of Fame and the West Australian Football Hall of Fame. Bill Dempsey played 341 games for West Perth. This is one of the highest numbers of games ever played for the club.
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Bill Dempsey's Amazing Football Journey
Bill Dempsey is an indigenous Australian who was born in Birdum. This was a small railway town in the Northern Territory of Australia. He started his football career with the Buffaloes Football Club. This team played in the Northern Territory Football League.
Early Days and First Wins
Bill Dempsey quickly became a star player. He helped his team win championships in 1958–59 and 1959–60. After these wins, he was chosen to play for the team. This team was part of the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL). Bill Dempsey played his first game for West Perth in 1960.
Becoming a Star at West Perth
Bill Dempsey usually played as a ruckman. This player tries to get the ball from the air after a bounce or throw-in. Sometimes, he would also play in defence. He became a very important player for West Perth. In 1966, he won the Breckler Medal. This award is given to the best and fairest player at the club.
Bill Dempsey helped West Perth win championships in 1969 and 1971. Even during the football season in Western Australia, he would often go back to the Northern Territory. He played for Darwin in the NTFL during the summers. In 1964–65, he was the captain of the Darwin team. He also helped them win a championship in 1967–68 without losing a single game. Overall, he played 145 games for Darwin.
Playing for His State
Bill Dempsey also played for his state, Western Australia. He played his first game for the state in 1963. This was an interstate match against Tasmania. He played a total of 14 games for Western Australia. This included two games in the 1972 Australian Championships. Bill Dempsey played 341 games for West Perth before he stopped playing in 1976.
Awards and Special Honours
Bill Dempsey received many special awards for his football career.
- In June 1976, he was given the MBE award. This was for his great "services to sport." His teammate, Mel Whinnen, also received this award.
- In 2000, he was named in West Perth's Team of the Century. This means he was one of the best players in the club's history.
- In 2004, he was one of the first players to be put into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame.
- In 2010, he was named a "Legend" in the first group of players to enter the AFL Northern Territory Hall of Fame.
- In 2005, Bill Dempsey was chosen for the Indigenous Team of the Century. This team celebrates the best Indigenous Australian players.
Two important places are named after Bill Dempsey. One of the entrance gates at Patersons Stadium has his name. Also, a stand at Arena Joondalup, West Perth's home ground, is called the Whinnen–Dempsey Stand. This honours both Bill Dempsey and Mel Whinnen.
A Family Legacy
Bill Dempsey's grandson, Malcolm Rosas Jr., is also an AFL player. He plays for the Gold Coast Suns. This shows that football talent runs in the family!
