Former Kiwi International and Life Member of the Junee Diesels Bill Deacon, who passed away at the age of 75 in June last year, will be honoured at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday.
The Bill Deacon Amenities Block will be officially opened by local member Stephanie Cooke at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday, 29th August, with strict COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing to be adhered to.
“Bill made an enormous contribution to Rugby League as a player, coach and administrator in both Wagga Wagga and Junee and was a wonderful mentor for young footballers in the region right up to his passing,” NSWRL Bidgee Regional Area Manager David Skinner said.
“This Saturday when the Diesels play the Gundagai Tigers at home, the new precinct in his name will be unveiled which will be a fitting honour for a local legend.”
Before coming to Australia, Deacon made his mark on New Zealand Rugby League and as it stands is the most decorated Waikato player in history, playing 14 tests for New Zealand and proudly representing the Ngaruawahia Panthers.
New Zealand rugby league historian John Coffey calculates Deacon, who made his senior debut as a 16-year-old for the Ngaruawahia Panthers in the Waikato competition, probably played 650 senior games until he retired at the age of 48 as well as 68 games for Waikato, 49 for New Zealand and various trials.
Deacon came to Australia in 1972 and played for the Wagga Magpies then mainly the Junee Diesels for 16 years, where he then turned his hand to coaching and guided True Blue Laurie Daley’s team to eight straight premierships from Under-7s to Under-15s.
He made an enormous contribution to Rugby League as a player, coach and administrator in both Wagga Wagga and Junee and will be honoured when the Diesels play the Gundagai Tigers at home.
