Mark Harris (rugby league) facts for kids
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Harris in 2015
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Personal information
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| Born | 22 August 1947 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| Died | 15 January 2020 (aged 72) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Playing information
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| Position | Centre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mark Walter Harris (born August 22, 1947 – died January 15, 2020) was an Australian professional rugby league player. He was known for his strong running as a centre. Mark played for two main clubs: the Eastern Suburbs (now Sydney Roosters) from 1970 to 1979, and the North Sydney Bears from 1980 to 1981. He also played a different kind of football, Canadian football, for the Montreal Alouettes. During his rugby league career, Harris played 190 games for the Roosters and 33 games for the Bears.
Contents
Playing Rugby League
Mark Harris started his rugby league journey in Brisbane. Before joining a major club in Australia, he played for the Koni Tigers in Papua New Guinea. The Eastern Suburbs club then recruited him to play in the NSWRFL Premiership.
Early Achievements
In his very first season, Mark won the special 'Rookie Of The Year' award. This award is given to the best new player. He was also chosen to play for Australia in the 1970 Rugby League World Cup. In 1972, he won another important award, the Sun-Herald Player of the Year. He was also selected for the 1972 Rugby League World Cup. Harris played one test match for Australia against New Zealand in 1972.
Trying American Football
In 1973, Mark Harris decided to try a different sport. He turned down a chance to tour with the Australian team to try out for an American football team, the Philadelphia Eagles. He didn't get a contract with them. Instead, he played Canadian football for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. During the 1973 CFL season, Harris played 7 games as a kickoff specialist. This means he was responsible for kicking the ball far down the field at the start of plays.
Back to Rugby League
After his time in Canadian football, Mark Harris returned to the Roosters. He became a key player in some of their best teams. He helped the club win premierships (championships) in 1974 and 1975. He was also part of the teams that won the pre-Season cup in 1974 and 1977, and the midweek cups in 1975 and 1977.
In 1976, Harris played as a centre for Eastern Suburbs in a special game. This was the 1976 World Club Challenge against the British champions, St. Helens, played in Sydney. He was also chosen to represent Australia in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup and the 1977 Rugby League World Cup. Mark finished his playing career with the North Sydney Bears.
Life After Playing
After he stopped playing, Mark Harris continued to be involved in rugby league. In 2000, he was a member of the National Rugby League judiciary. This group makes decisions about player conduct and rules. Mark Harris passed away on January 15, 2020, at the age of 72.
