Richard Bolton (rugby league)

Richard Keith Bolton (4 June 1943 – 13 May 2024) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer, manager, and coach who represented New Zealand.[1]

Richard Bolton
Personal information
Full nameRichard Keith Bolton
Born(1943-06-04)4 June 1943
New Zealand
Died13 May 2024(2024-05-13) (aged 80)
New Zealand
Playing information
PositionLoose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Unknown (ARL)
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Auckland
1972 New Zealand 1 0 0 0 0
1973–75 New Zealand Māori
New Zealand rep
Coaching information
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1986–88 New Zealand Māori
1987–88 Waikato
Source: [1]

Playing career

edit

Bolton was an Auckland representative and played in one Test match for the New Zealand national rugby league team, the second Test against Australia in 1972.[2] He captained the New Zealand Māori side which won the 1975 Pacific Cup.[1][3]

Coaching career

edit

After retirement Bolton turned to coaching. He coached the New Zealand Māori side to wins in the 1986 and 1988 Pacific Cups, and also coached Waikato in 1987 and 1988.[4][5] During this time, Bolton also served on the New Zealand Māori Rugby League board between 1983 and 1984.[3] He later served as trainer of the 1990 New Zealand Māori side.[6]

Later years

edit

Bolton served as the manager of the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1992 and 1993 under coach Howie Tamati.[7]

In 1994, Bolton was employed by the New Zealand Rugby League as the national development officer. In this role, he is credited with establishing the national secondary schools competition.[8] He retired from this role in 1997,[9] but returned to the position in 2002 and also managed the Junior Kiwis in 2005.[10][11] In 2009, he was the Auckland Rugby League's deputy chairman.[12]

Bolton died on 13 May 2024, at the age of 80.[13]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ BOLTON, Richard Keith - 1972 nzleague.co.nz
  3. ^ a b John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. ISBN 9781869693312.
  4. ^ 1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p.p.128-130
  5. ^ Lion Red 1988 Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1988. p.p.142-145
  6. ^ "The passing of Kiwi #499 Richard Bolton |". Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  7. ^ Rattue, Chris (4 May 2011). "Anzac clash shapes up to be close battle". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  8. ^ National Secondary Schools RL nzrl.co.nz
  9. ^ Final provides a fond finale for retiring Bolton[dead link] Sunday Star-Times, 6 July 1997
  10. ^ New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.182
  11. ^ Junior Kiwis Tie Series Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League, 30 July 2005
  12. ^ Memo to all clubs and affiliates aucklandleague.co.nz, 16 February 2010
  13. ^ "Richard Bolton obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.