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Richard Bolton (rugby league)

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Richard Bolton
Personal information
Full nameRichard Keith Bolton
Born(1943-06-04)4 June 1943
New Zealand
Died13 May 2024(2024-05-13) (aged 80)
New Zealand
Playing information
PositionLoose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Unknown (ARL)
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Auckland
1972 New Zealand 1 0 0 0 0
1973–75 New Zealand Māori
New Zealand rep
Coaching information
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1986–88 New Zealand Māori
1987–88 Waikato
Source: [1]

Richard Keith Bolton (4 June 1943 – 13 May 2024) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer, manager, and coach who represented New Zealand.[1]

Playing career

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Bolton was an Auckland representative and played in one Test match for the New Zealand national rugby league team, the second Test against Australia in 1972.[2] He captained the New Zealand Māori side which won the 1975 Pacific Cup.[1][3]

Coaching career

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After retirement Bolton turned to coaching. He coached the New Zealand Māori side to wins in the 1986 and 1988 Pacific Cups, and also coached Waikato in 1987 and 1988.[4][5] During this time, Bolton also served on the New Zealand Māori Rugby League board between 1983 and 1984.[3] He later served as trainer of the 1990 New Zealand Māori side.[6]

Later years

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Bolton served as the manager of the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1992 and 1993 under coach Howie Tamati.[7]

In 1994, Bolton was employed by the New Zealand Rugby League as the national development officer. In this role, he is credited with establishing the national secondary schools competition.[8] He retired from this role in 1997,[9] but returned to the position in 2002 and also managed the Junior Kiwis in 2005.[10][11] In 2009, he was the Auckland Rugby League's deputy chairman.[12]

Bolton died on 13 May 2024, at the age of 80.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ BOLTON, Richard Keith - 1972 nzleague.co.nz
  3. ^ a b John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. ISBN 9781869693312.
  4. ^ 1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p.p.128-130
  5. ^ Lion Red 1988 Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1988. p.p.142-145
  6. ^ "The passing of Kiwi #499 Richard Bolton |". Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  7. ^ Rattue, Chris (4 May 2011). "Anzac clash shapes up to be close battle". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  8. ^ National Secondary Schools RL nzrl.co.nz
  9. ^ Final provides a fond finale for retiring Bolton[dead link] Sunday Star-Times, 6 July 1997
  10. ^ New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.182
  11. ^ Junior Kiwis Tie Series Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League, 30 July 2005
  12. ^ Memo to all clubs and affiliates aucklandleague.co.nz, 16 February 2010
  13. ^ "Richard Bolton obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.