Wally McArthur (rugby league) facts for kids
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Personal information
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| Full name | Wally McArthur | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1 December 1933 Borroloola, Northern Territory, Australia |
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| Died | 28 August 2015 (aged 81) Sydney, Australia |
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Playing information
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As of 19 October 2022
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Wally McArthur (born December 1, 1933 – died August 28, 2015) was an amazing Aboriginal Australian athlete. He was famous for playing rugby league and for being a very fast runner in track and field sports. In 2008, a special year for rugby league in Australia, he was honored by being named in the Aboriginal Australian rugby league team of the Century. This means he was one of the best Aboriginal players ever!
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Wally McArthur: A Sporting Legend
Wally McArthur was a talented athlete from Australia. He showed great skill in both rugby league and running. His story is important because it highlights his achievements and the challenges he faced.
Early Life and Talents
Wally McArthur was born in 1933 in a place called Borroloola in the Northern Territory. When he was a teenager in the early 1950s, he moved to Adelaide, South Australia. There, he lived at a boarding home for boys called St Francis House.
It was in Adelaide that Wally became known as a very fast short-distance runner. He was incredibly quick and showed great promise in track and field events.
Facing Challenges in Sport
Wally McArthur was also interested in playing Australian rules football. However, he was not allowed to play because of unfair rules at the time. These rules prevented people from playing based on their background.
Some people believe that Wally was not chosen for the Australian track team for the 1952 Summer Olympics because of this unfair treatment. While this is a debated topic, it shows the difficulties some athletes faced.
Playing Rugby League in Australia
Despite these challenges, Wally continued his sporting career. He played rugby league in Australia for teams in the South Australian Rugby League and the Western Australia Rugby League. His talent on the field was clear to everyone who watched him play.
Moving to England for Rugby
Wally McArthur later moved to England to play rugby league professionally. He played a total of 165 games for several different clubs. These clubs included:
- Rochdale Hornets
- Blackpool Borough
- Salford
- Workington Town
He was a successful player in England, scoring many tries and points for his teams. His career showed his dedication and skill in the sport.
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