Vale Ron Massey

The New South Wales Rugby League extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rugby League legend, Ron Massey, who sadly passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer.

Massey, 86, was an influential figure in the coaching ranks as the right-hand man to the great Jack Gibson at Eastern Suburbs and Parramatta.

Massey and Gibson helped the Roosters win back-to-back premierships in 1974-75, before the pair snapped the Eels’ title drought in 1981.

NSWRL’s second-tier competition, Ron Massey Cup, has carried his name since 2013 in honour of his contribution to Rugby League.

NSWRL CEO David Trodden said Ron's Rugby League legacy is significant. 

"Ron Massey was a life member of NSWRL which reflected the great contribution which he made to our game," he said.

"He was one of the sharpest minds ever to influence Rugby League. He was a person who never shirked the difficult issues.

"His enduring legacy is that, with Jack Gibson, he was one half of the greatest coaching partnership which our game has known."