Cyril Collard (footballer) facts for kids

Cyril Collard was an important Australian rules football player. He was born on September 20, 1934, and passed away on December 20, 2011. Cyril played 13 games for the Hawthorn team between 1957 and 1958, scoring 3 goals. He made history as the very first Indigenous Australian player to join the Hawthorn team. Cyril was a proud member of the Noongar people, who are an Aboriginal group from Western Australia.

Who Was Cyril Collard?

Cyril Collard was a talented athlete who made a significant mark in Australian rules football. His journey in the sport began in Western Australia before he moved to play at a higher level. He is remembered not just for his skills on the field, but also for breaking barriers as an Indigenous player.

Starting His Football Journey

Cyril Collard started his football career playing for the Subiaco Football Club in Western Australia. He was a very good player there, finishing among the top three players in the club's "best and fairest" award for both seasons he played. This award is given to the player who performs best and shows the most sportsmanship.

In 1956, Cyril decided to move to Melbourne, a big city where many top Australian rules football teams play. He first trained with the Collingwood team. However, he eventually chose to play for the Hawthorn Football Club instead.

Getting a Clearance to Play

Moving between football clubs wasn't always easy back then. Subiaco, Cyril's old club, initially did not want to let him go. This meant he couldn't play football at all during the 1956 season. It was a tough time for him, as he wanted to continue playing.

Luckily, the National Football Council, which was an important football organization, stepped in. They looked at his case and finally gave him permission to play for Hawthorn. This "clearance" allowed him to join his new team for the 1957 season.

Playing for Hawthorn

Once he received his clearance, Cyril Collard officially joined the Hawthorn Football Club. He played for two seasons, in 1957 and 1958. During this time, he played 13 games and scored 3 goals. His time at Hawthorn was important because he was the first Indigenous Australian to play for the club, paving the way for future Indigenous athletes.

Life After Football

After his professional football career ended in 1958, Cyril Collard didn't stop being active. He became a professional runner, which is a sport where people compete in foot races for prize money. He was quite good at it, even reaching the final of a very famous running race called the Stawell Gift. This race is one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious foot races.

A Career in Firefighting

Besides his sports achievements, Cyril Collard also had a long and respected career serving his community. He joined the Metropolitan Fire Brigade on February 7, 1958. He worked as a firefighter for many years, helping to keep people safe. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a Senior Fire Fighter. Cyril served in the fire brigade for over 30 years, retiring on June 3, 1988.