Rick Bourke facts for kids
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Personal information
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| Full name | Richard Bourke | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 16 November 1953 Cronulla, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Died | 15 August 2006 (aged 52) Tugun, Queensland, Australia |
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Playing information
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| Position | Wing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Richard "Rick" Bourke (born November 16, 1953 – died August 15, 2006) was a talented Australian rugby league player. He was known for playing with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and later the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Rick played in the top competition called the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL).
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Rick Bourke's Rugby League Journey
Starting with the Sharks
Rick Bourke was a true legend for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He played for them for ten seasons, from 1973 to 1982. Rick often played as a winger or a fullback, which are key positions in rugby league.
He was a local junior player, meaning he grew up playing rugby league in the Caringbah area. Fans loved watching him play.
Grand Final Moments
Rick played in some very important games for the Sharks. In the 1973 Grand Final, his team lost 10-7 to Manly-Warringah. Rick scored the only try for the Sharks in that big game. It was played at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground.
He also played in the 1978 Grand Final against Manly. That game ended in a draw, so they had to play a replay just two days later. Rick played on the wing in the first game and then as fullback in the replay. Manly won the replay game 16-0.
Career Highlights and End of Play
During his ten years with the Cronulla Sharks, Rick Bourke scored 38 tries. A try is when a player grounds the ball in the opponent's in-goal area, earning points for their team.
After his long career with the Sharks, Rick played his final season in 1983. He joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs for that year.
Later Life and Passing
Rick Bourke passed away on August 15, 2006, at the age of 52. He died from cancer at the John Flynn Hospital in Tugun, Queensland.
