Rugby league loses life-long contributor
The Toowoomba sporting community is mourning the loss of a legendary rugby league figure following the death of Bill Pollard.
Pollard died peacefully at 9 o’clock yesterday morning.
His passing robs Toowoomba and Darling Downs rugby league of one of its longest serving and most dedicated participants.
Pollard was a major contributor to the sport at both senior and junior levels as a player, coach and supporter.
His services earned him life membership of the Toowoomba Rugby League along with the Toowoomba and Newtown Junior Rugby Leagues.
Pollard began his senior rugby league days as captain-coach of Miles.
His wide-travelling playing days also took him to Wandoan, Taroom and Emerald.
Pollard later moved to Toowoomba where he played with the Wattles, Valleys and Newtown clubs.
He also represented at Bulimba Cup level.
At the end of his long playing career Pollard went on to become a fully accredited Level 3 coach.
Pollard was set to end his 56-year association with rugby league in 2006 when he was named Queensland Rugby League Volunteer of the Year.
But a phone call from his beloved Newtown Lions club persuaded him to take the reins of both the Newtown under 18 and 14 teams in 2007.
In 2012 the TRL announced the Bill and Steve Pollard Family Medal would be be awarded to the Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy final man of the match.
His son Steve was also a premiership-winning captain and TRL coach.
His life was cut short in 2011 when he lost a battle with pancreatic cancer.