The local rugby league community, including the Campbelltown City Kangaroos, is mourning the passing of one of the legends of the game – on and off the field – Ray Corkery.
The man who was the club’s most successful first grade coach passed away overnight on Tuesday.
The club says it extends its deepest sympathies to Ray’s partner Helen Lawson, his daughters and the entire Corkery family.
“It has been a privilege for the club to honour Ray since 2017 with the Corkery – Andrews Cup and reconnect him to the club he helped to build,’’ it said in a public statement.
Ray Corkery served as Campbelltown City Kangaroos captain coach between 1969 and 1972 and again in 1983 as non- playing coach.
Under his stewardship, the club were premiers in 1969, 1970, 1971 and again in 1983.
The following tribute to Ray Corkery was written by club life member Bruce Melville and featured in the 2018 match day program when the Kangaroos played Mittagong:
“The club is honoured today to have Ray Corkery at our home ground for the first time since 1983.
“Ray arrived at the ‘Roos in 1969 following a distinguished career at Randwick Rugby Union, Warrington in England and St George Dragons during the era of their 11 straight premierships.
“His coaching career saw three first grade premierships, and a Southern Division championship title in 1971.
“Ray Corkery was also coaxed out of retirement in 1983 to steer us to the first grade title again.
“Ray also achieved great success as Group 6 and Southern Division representative coach, steering the Group 6 to a famous 2-0 victory over the touring French team in 1975.
“Ray Corkery was also the mentor – the man who instilled into his players the toughness, discipline and will to succeed not only in rugby league, but in life, through his personal example.
“Ray showed us how to become winners. Many of his charges transferred their footballing success into very successful work and business careers.
“He was also was a driving force behind the establishment of what is today our major sponsor, the Wests Group Macarthur. From the insolvency of 1986, Ray led a campaign to return the Leagues club to local control and served as chairman for many years, retiring only from the board in 2016 after 47 years of service to Rugby League in Campbelltown,’’ wrote Melville.
Details of Ray Corkery’s funeral are yet to be announced.
