Arthur Beetson recognised for his contributions to Rugby League
On December 9th, Arthur Beetson’s friends and family organised a ceremony to pay tribute to the Rugby League legend in Brisbane, Australia.
This ceremony was attended by many of Beetson’s team-mates who had shared the field with Queensland in the first Origin game in 1980. Also, homage was paid by a host of players which included Tommy Bishop-English half, Gorden Tallis, John Sattler, Ron Coote,
Brad Fittler, Graham Eadie, Sam Backo, Greg Oliphant, John Peard and Wally Fullerton-Smith. Amongst other attendees were his former Parramatta team-mate, Michael Cronin.
On Thursday, December 1, the Rugby League legend passed away after suffering a heart attack at the age of 66. The Australian legend’s accomplishments are put alongside the big shots in sports including Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper,
Graeme Langlands and Wally Lewis. He is the first indigenous captain of Australia in any sport who also led Queensland in the first State of Origin match in 1980.
Beetson will be remembered for his extraordinary on field and off field role in the world of rugby. It is believed that the rugby legend will continue to inspire younger players because he is considered an institution of rugby league. Regarding Beetson’s
beyond par rugby skills, Ross Livermore, the managing director of Queensland Rugby League for 30 years, acknowledged that there is something extraordinary about the rugby league legend which cannot be sidelined.
Mal Meninga, who currently coaches Sate of Origins, was shocked to hear about his Maroons’ teammate’s sudden death. Also, he shared that Beetson played a huge role in shaping his career, when he started off playing for as an indigenous footballer.
While recalling the time he spent with Beetson, Meninga said “I hold him dear to my heart, especially in my early years, he was very influential for my growth as a man. He was one of the people I admire greatly, not only for his footy, what he did on the
park, but what he did as a human being for his people and for business people as well.”
Beetson was also well known amongst the younger lot of rugby league. The Queensland half-back, Johnathan Thurston, said that Artie was a huge inspiration to all indigenous rugby league players, including him. He added further that he will never be forgotten
for the great contributions from his side to the rugby world.
He further shared that the player c*m coach is one of the very few people who had done a lot for Queensland Rugby League.
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