Vale – Tony Paskins

The Men of League Foundation is saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Paskins and offers its sincere condolences to Tony’s family and friends on his passing.

SUMMARY OF TONY PASKINS RUGBY LEAGUE CAREER

Tony played with Randwick Rugby Union Club from 1945 to 1948. On 8 September 1945 at North Sydney Oval, as a 16-year-old, he scored all of Randwick’s points in their 11-6 win over University in the reserve grade final, then the next week in the reserve grade grand final, he kicked a penalty goal in Randwick’s 17-3 loss to Eastern Suburbs.

He made his first-grade debut for Randwick at 17, at Coogee Oval on 18 May 1946 when Randwick beat Easts 20-6.

He and Randwick team-mate, Rupert Mudge joined Workington Town, England for the 1948/49 English season (played there until 1955) and they left Sydney together on 6 August 1948.

He and Rupert Mudge got married on the same day in Workington Town on 7 March 1949 and each was the other’s best man.Rupert married Yvonne and Tony married Catriona Marden from Upper Burragorang. Her grandfather, Dr. John Marden founded both PLC Pymble and PLC Croydon.

Tony played against the Kangaroos Rugby League Touring Team twice. On 13 November 1948, Workington 10 beat Australia 7 and on 25 October 1952, Australia 27 beat Workington 15. He also played for Other Nationalities in 11 games.

He also played for the British Empire vs France on 7 May 1949 and on 17 November 1954, he played for the Northern League XIII against a Combined Australian and New Zealand team. This was just after the first World Cup was played in France and the first time, Australians and New Zealanders were asked to play for England against their countrymen.

Upon returning to Sydney in 1955 he played as Captain/Coach 52 games for Eastern Suburbs between 1955-58 , then was Captain/Coach at Oberon 1958-1963, representing NSW Country and played 5 games NSW from 1959-1962 (2 x QLD ,1 x NZ ,1x Gt Britain). In 1963-1964 he was Captain/Coach of Manly Warringah playing 20 games, in 1967 he moved to Forster and was Captain/Coach of the Hawks RL Club, winning premierships in 1968 and 1970 (beat Port Macquarie with the great Harry Wells as Captain/Coach) then in 1973 he Coached Eastern Suburbs.

Tony is highly regarded by many rugby league experts as one of the most talented rugby league player ever produced by Australia and unbelievable that he was never selected to represent Australia.

He grew up in Maroubra (Mr and Mrs K H Paskins). He did attend Knox Grammar from year 9 and was a key player in the first XV.