Vale Robert J Allen

Country Rugby League is mourning the passing of Robert J (Bob) Allen OAM, who passed away on Saturday, 25th August, aged 85.

His service will be held at Palmdale Hillside Chapel at Ourimbah on Thursday, 30th August at 10:30 am.

Bob was a member of the original NSWRL Coaching Academy Panel, that operated out of Narrabeen Academy and was the centre for all Rugby League coaching and development education for many years.

Mr Allen was a life member and past president for many years, of what was Group 12 Rugby League and the Central Coast Division Rugby League and instigated the original Rugby League Refereeing, Coaching and development panels in the Central Coast area.

Mr Allen was the school principal at Gosford High School and Kariong Boys Home, until his retirement, and was heavily involved in the successful University Shield sides that came out of Gosford High School.

He was the inaugural President of the Australian High Schools Rugby League and was instrumental in sending the first Australian High School Rugby League team to Britain.

Mr Allen received an Order of Australia Medal in 2004 for his administrative services to Rugby League.

He was a life member and patron of Central Coast Leagues Club, and started, along with Maurice Sterland, the Sterland Medal awards, which were (until recently) the major awards for the senior Rugby League on the Central Coast.

Mr Allen was a much admired administrator and community worker, for not only Rugby League, but the whole Central Coast community.