Kevin Storey – A Northern Beaches Magpie

Everyone who has followed rugby league for years will recall the hype back in the 1970’s when archrival clubs, the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles were nicknamed ‘The Fibros’ and ‘The Silvertails’.

All those will also recall that there was no love lost in all grade matches between the Clubs’. However, it may be unknown, but it is quite ironic a considerable number of Magpies players from that time now live in the so-called Silvertails area of the Northern Beaches.

Northern Sydney Wellbeing Officers Norm Pounder and Ken Vessey recently had the pleasure of visiting one such player, Kevin Storey and his charming wife of 47 years marriage, Sue. As a youngster, Kevin grew up in Lilyfield and honed his skills as a winger with CYO clubs Rozelle and Dulwich Hill, before being graded with the Western Suburbs District Rugby League Club.

He enjoyed a successful career at the Magpies, playing 17 games in 3rd Grade in 1966 and 13 games in 3rd Grade in 1967. This 1967 team won the 3rd Grade Premiership and included many skilled players such as Neville Hornery, Tim Murphy, Col Lewis and Rod Smith.

He played eight games in 3rd Grade and 15 games in Reserve Grade in 1968, before in 1969, he transferred to the Newtown “Bluebags” District Rugby League Club, where he played 12 games in 3rd Grade before seriously injuring a finger on his left hand that forced an early retirement from playing.

After retiring, Kevin coached teams at the strong St Augustine’s College for several years. Remaining loyal to his old Magpies days, he supports the Wests Tigers and he would love to see the modern game get the scrums back to how they were when he played!

Today, Kevin enjoys life and is kept busy with his wife Sue, three adult sons and two daughters in law, plus three grandchildren. Plenty of his ex-Magpies teammates that live in his area frequently enjoy catching up too.

We presented Kevin with a Men of League Foundation polo shirt plus cap as a mark of appreciation for his long contribution to rugby league and wished him good health.

In return, he was most thankful for our wishes, visit and gifts and wished the Men of League Foundation continued growth and success.

By Ken Vessey, Wellbeing Coordinator, Northern Sydney Men of League Foundation Committee.