Ross Strudwick
Encyclopedia
Ross Strudwick is an Australian former rugby league
footballer and coach. An Australian international, New South Wales and Queensland representative halfback of the 1970s, he played club football in the NSWRFL Premiership for St. George
and in the BRL Premiership for Fortitude Valley
. Strudwick later embarked on a coaching career in Queensland and England.
in 1969. He played there until 1972, gaining selection for New South Wales
during this period.
After moving north to play in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership with Fortitude Valley
, Strudwick was selected to represent Queensland
several times and also played for Australia in the 1975 World Series
. He was captain of Valleys when a teenage Wally Lewis
made his first grade debut for the club in 1978 and worked with the youngster to help develop his long passing skills. That year they made the Grand Final but lost to Easts
. The following year, with Strudwick as captain-coach, Valleys beat Souths to win the 1979 BRL premiership.
during the 1980s but was sacked after a home defeat by Featherstone Rovers
. He also worked as a television match commentator, and coached and managed London Crusaders before being replaced by Darryl van der Velde
in 1992. He resigned as general manager of the club in 1993.
Strudwick is also the founder and CEO of a sporting goods retail franchise called Struddy's Sports, and his son, Nathan has also played rugby league, signing with the Brisbane Broncos
club.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer and coach. An Australian international, New South Wales and Queensland representative halfback of the 1970s, he played club football in the NSWRFL Premiership for St. George
St. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
and in the BRL Premiership for Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley Diehards
The Fortitude Valley Diehards were an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley.-History:...
. Strudwick later embarked on a coaching career in Queensland and England.
Playing
Strudwick started his career in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership with St. GeorgeSt. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
in 1969. He played there until 1972, gaining selection for New South Wales
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
during this period.
After moving north to play in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership with Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley Diehards
The Fortitude Valley Diehards were an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley.-History:...
, Strudwick was selected to represent Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
several times and also played for Australia in the 1975 World Series
1975 Rugby League World Cup
The 1975 Rugby League World Cup was the seventh staging of rugby league football's World Cup tournament...
. He was captain of Valleys when a teenage Wally Lewis
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
made his first grade debut for the club in 1978 and worked with the youngster to help develop his long passing skills. That year they made the Grand Final but lost to Easts
Easts Tigers
The Eastern Suburbs Tigers are a rugby league club based at Langlands Park, which is in the suburb of Coorparoo in Brisbane, Australia. They competed in the Brisbane Rugby League from 1934 to 1996. From 1996 they have competed in the Queensland Cup. Their jersey is traditionally an all gold jersey...
. The following year, with Strudwick as captain-coach, Valleys beat Souths to win the 1979 BRL premiership.
Coaching
Following his retirement from playing, Strudwick continued coaching in Queensland, taking Brothers to victory in the 1987 BRL grand final, before moving to England the following year to take up opportunities there. He coached Halifax RLFCHalifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
during the 1980s but was sacked after a home defeat by Featherstone Rovers
Featherstone Rovers
Featherstone Rovers are a semi-professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. They currently play in the Championship. The Rovers are one of the last vestiges of "small town teams" that were once common in rugby league during the early twentieth century...
. He also worked as a television match commentator, and coached and managed London Crusaders before being replaced by Darryl van der Velde
Darryl van der Velde
Darryl van der Velde is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, coach and administrator. He played club football in Queensland for Souths and represented his state on one occasion in 1977. After playing he coached the Brisbane Rugby League premiership's Redcliffe side in 1986...
in 1992. He resigned as general manager of the club in 1993.
Strudwick is also the founder and CEO of a sporting goods retail franchise called Struddy's Sports, and his son, Nathan has also played rugby league, signing with the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
club.