Bill Summerell

William George Summerell (1913-1972) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s. He later became an administrator for the St. George Dragons.

Bill Summerell
Bill Summerell St.George 1938
Personal information
Full nameWilliam George Summerell
Born(1913-11-22)22 November 1913
Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia
Died27 June 1972(1972-06-27) (aged 58)
Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionSecond Row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1935–38 St. George 16 5 1 0 17
Source: Whiticker/Hudson

Playing career

Bill Summerell (nicknamed 'Monka') played 106 games for the St. George Dragons during a long career that included 16 first grade appearances before retiring as a player in 1938.[1]He returned 5 years later to trial for first grade during World War II, but his enlistment for war duties with the RAAF curtailed his comeback aspirations, although he played some reserve grade games in 1942 including a Reserve Grade Semi Final against Wests that was written in the press as the greatest game of his career on 26 August 1942[2][3]

Coaching and Administrative career at St. George

Summerell later coached Reserve and Third Grades during the 1950s and became Chairman of selectors giving many years of great service to the St. George Dragons notably during the Golden Era (1956-1966).

Bill loved the St. George Dragons and during one evening in 1972 at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, while looking at the panorama of Botany Bay, he declared, "That's the greatest sight I've ever seen" before passing away suddenly the next day.[4]

Death

Bill Summerell passed away on 27 June 1972 at Hurstville, New South Wales and was later cremated at Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland, New South Wales aged 58.[5]

References
  1. Whiticker/Hudson "The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players (1995 Edition)
  2. ST GEORGE CALL (Kogarah) Page 4 "Summerell plays game of his career" https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/233598805?searchTerm=bill%20summerell&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales
  3. St George Call(Kogarah) 9/4/1943 Bill Summerell reference https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/233597625?searchTerm=bill%20summerell&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales
  4. JUBILEE AVENUE (B. Summerell bio) http://www.jubileeavenue.com.au/history/history_players_s.php
  5. SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - Death Notice 29/6/1972
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