Eric Harry Tassie (12 October 1887 – 21 July 1936) was an Australian rules football administrator. He was president of the Australian National Football Council (ANFC) from 1929 to 1935.
Eric Tassie | |
|---|---|
| President of the Australian National Football Council | |
| In office 4 November 1929 – 4 November 1935 | |
| Preceded by | Alf Moffat |
| Succeeded by | Bob Rush |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 October 1887 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Died | 21 July 1936 (aged 48) Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
Tassie was a son of Henry Tassie, who was a government minister in South Australia.[1] He attended Way College, Adelaide, and played football for the school team and later for various lower-level clubs. An accountant by profession, Tassie became manager of the Norwood Football Club's B-grade team in 1912, and then in 1914 was elected club treasurer.[2] He became club secretary in 1919, holding that position until 1924, and was a club delegate to the South Australian Football League (SAFL)[a] from 1920 until his death.[3] Tassie managed the South Australian state team at the 1924 National Carnival,[4] and was a state selector on a number of other occasions.[1]
After several years as a delegate from South Australia and a term as vice-president, Tassie was elected ANFC president at its general meeting in November 1929, succeeding Alf Moffat of Western Australia.[5] He held the position until November 1935, when he resigned and nominated Bob Rush of Victoria as his successor.[6] During his presidency, Tassie was known for his flexibility with regard to the laws of the game. He presided over the reintroduction of the flick pass for the 1934 season,[7] and at one point suggested tackling should be banned in order to free up the flow of play.[8] Tassie died unexpectedly in July 1936, aged 48, while undergoing an operation on his mastoid process.[1] After his death, the Tassie Medal was struck in his honour, to be awarded to the best player at each Australian National Football Carnival.[9]
Notes edit
- ^ The league was known as the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) after 1927.
References edit
- ^ a b c "MR. E. H. TASSIE DIES SUDDENLY", The Advertiser, 23 July 1936.
- ^ "Mr. Eric Tassie", The Journal, 25 May 1923.
- ^ "MR. ERIC H. TASSIE", The News, 11 April 1925.
- ^ "INTERSTATE FOOTBALL CARNIVAL: Manager of South Australian Team.", The Register, 29 April 1924.
- ^ "FOOTBALL COUNCIL MAKES S.A. MAN PRESIDENT", The Register News-Pictorial, 5 November 1929.
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FEDERAL PRESIDENT: Mr. R. T. Rush (Vic.) Elected", The Age, 5 November 1935.
- ^ "S.A. WELCOMES FLICK PASS", The News, 9 August 1933.
- ^ "Suggested New Rule.", The West Australian, 15 June 1932.
- ^ The 1937 Perth Carnival, AustralianFootball.com. Retrieved 16 February 2017.