Bob Millward OAM has had plenty of highlights throughout his decorated career as a Rugby League administrator but one moment stands out for him above all others.
“I think the date, the 13th of December, 1980, will always remain in my memory,” Millward told NSWRL after stepping down as a director of the Illawarra Rugby League following 60 years of service at the club and the district.
(Millward pictured above with wife Nancy and NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden at the opening of the Bob Millward OAM Museum at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence)
“That was a day that is still unique, it was the first and only time, never before, never since, the NSWRL had met in Phillip Street, all day on a Saturday.
“You’ve heard plenty of stories about the administrators of the past, they were very keen race followers on a Saturday, and it certainly ended up ruining their punting day.
“But it started at 10am in the morning and went through until about 3pm in the afternoon and we got the right result.”
That right result was the decision by NSWRL to admit Illawarra Steelers into the 1982 competition. They were the first non-Sydney team to be admitted into the NSWRL premiership and that move paved the way for other teams to follow suit – Canberra, Newcastle and Brisbane.
There have been many other highlights for Millward, affectionately known throughout Rugby League circles as Bobby ‘Steeler’, including Illawarra beating Brisbane 4-2 in the pre-season Tooheys Challenge Cup Final in 1992, the club making the 1992 Preliminary Final only to be beaten 4-0 by St George Dragons, and forming a joint venture with the Dragons in 1999 leading to a premiership in 2010.
“That was a thing that I've always looked back on, that our platform was recognition of the district and what we produced in the period before that,” Millward said. “But also bringing world-class Rugby League to Wollongong on a regular basis and hopefully that is here forever.”
NSWRL chair Carolyn Campbell congratulated Millward for his six decades of service, with his journey at Illawarra Rugby League starting as a Collegians delegate in 1966 before other roles followed including Secretary and Chief Executive.
His service to the game has also been acknowledged by NSWRL – he is a Life Member of NSWRL, Illawarra Steelers and Illawarra Rugby League – with the museum at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence named in his honour.
“Bob Millward has dedicated his life to Illawarra Rugby League, and the region will always owe him a debt of gratitude for their place in our history,” Campbell said.
“He has always acted with integrity and dignity, and his commitment to Rugby League in both the Illawarra region as well as the game in general, will be difficult to surpass.
“He will retain his role as NSWRL President, and we are extremely fortunate to have such good people like Bob still involved in our sport.”
Although Millward officially stood down from the Illawarra Steelers board on Friday night, he will still maintain his involvement with the club and serve as President of NSWRL.
“I've been doing a lot of special projects for Rugby League in the Illawarra and on the south coast and if I can fit in a few more years behind that I’ll have been satisfied,” Millward said.
ROBERT MILLWARD, OAM
1966: Became a Collegians delegate to Illawarra Rugby League (IRL)
1974: Elected IRL Assistant Secretary
1976: Elected IRL Hon. Secretary
1979: Appointed IRL first full-time Secretary
1981: Appointed initial Illawarra Steelers full-time CEO
1995: Appointed a Director of NSW Rugby League (Longest serving tenure)
1988-91: NSW State of Origin Manager
1991: Australian Test Team Manager – 3 Test series vs New Zealand
1996-98: ARL/NRL Director
1998-2018: Foundation Director St. George Illawarra Dragons
1999: Interim CEO, St. George Illawarra Dragons
2010-12: Chair, IRL Centenary Committee
2000: Awarded Australian Sports Medal
2007: Awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
*Life Member: Illawarra Rugby League, Illawarra Steelers, NSW Rugby League
*Current President: NSW Rugby League
