Bill Whitehead

Who is Bill Whitehead?

William Albert Whitehead, better known as rugbyleaguebill in Rugby League circles, is a New Zealand sports administrator who has been involved in rugby league for more than 50 years, and also worked in horse racing and bowls. He received the Queen's Service Medal in 1987. He also played one game for Marist, and played with University for one season.

He is arguably the most decorated man in Rugby League, being the holder of nine Life Memberships, both the senior and schoolboys Boards of Canterbury and West Coast, his club Marist and NZ Marist Rugby League Assn of which he was President for a record eight years, and Patron when it was disbanded by President/Secretary Ross Lipscombe in 2000.

He was selected as winner of Nelson/Stewart Challenge Trophy as Personality of Tournament at the last NZ Marist tournament in 1997 in Wellington. He was manager of the NZ Marist team to Aust in 1979. Whitehead was Deputy Chairman of Canterbury Schoolboys Board in 1964, but was head hunted to join senior Board of Control in 1965 to prepare Rugby League Weekly, the official CRFL programme, with renowned Historian John Coffey.