Keith Aggett
Keith was an outstanding leader. He was regarded as one of the most respected officials in the NSW Club movement and rugby league scene. He was Foundation Coach, Committeeman and Leagues Club Director in 1963 and served as Football Club Secretary for four decades from 1965.
One of Keith’s proudest moments was receiving Life Membership of the NSW Rugby League in 2013 for his services to rugby league. Highly regarded by his peers, Keith boasted an impressive 72 years involvement with rugby league as a player, coach and administrator.
Keith replaced the late Harry Quinlan as President of Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club in 2003.
Keith was a former top grade hooker with both Balmain and Parramatta before coaching the inaugural Ryde Eastwood team in 1963.
He began his football career as a promising 13 year old with Balmain Police Boys U/16s in the Balmain Junior League—teaming up with Kangaroo forward and Test coach Don Furner and ex-Tigers Football Club President George Stone.
Keith also played with Graham’s and Drummoyne Clubs and figured in Balmain’s champion 1952 Presidents Cup team that won the trophy.
Aggett was graded by Parramatta in 1953 and made 38 First Grade appearances during his three year stint with the Eels before returning to play for Balmain in 1956.
Keith’s career was cut short by injury and he turned his hand to coaching—guiding West Ryde-Dundas and North Ryde to premierships and Gladesville Bowling and Sports, Balmain Coaching Class and Ryde Eastwood before pouring his energies into club administration.
He managed the NSW Residents representative teams in 1996–97.
In 2010, Keith was named Coach of the Half Century during North Ryde Hawks’ Jubilee season and was made a Life Member of the Balmain District Football Club—just two of a long list of personal milestones.
Keith was elected president of Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club in 2002.
For 28 years, Keith was an active 16ft skiff sailing hand with Drummoyne Sailing Club—representing NSW as a crew member in Daring at the Australian Skiffs Championships in 1958.
He is also a former Tom Bellew Award winner (1996) and received an Australian Sports Medal; Commonwealth Seniors Recognition Award for services to sport in Bennelong electorate and Centenary Medal for contributions to Australian society.
In 2011, Leagues Club Australia awarded Keith the prestigious Jack Martin Award for his outstanding service to the game as a player, coach and administrator.
This decorated pioneer passed away on Thursday 4 May 2017 after a period of ill health at the age of 85. Keith was the Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club President at the time of his passing. His death signalled the end of an amazing era for the proud Hawks’ institution. Keith was survived by his beloved wife Beryl, son Graeme and daughter-in-law Christine, daughter Susan and son-in-law John Brosz and extended family.