The NRL would like to congratulate seven rugby league identities who were awarded Queen’s Birthday Honours this week.
John “Choc” Anderson, Paul Broughton, David Sharpe, Dallas Sinclair and Warren Smith were all given OAMs for services to rugby league.
Sydney Roosters board member Mark Fennessy was awarded an AM for significant service to the broadcast industry as an entrepreneur, innovator and production executive.
Sony Music Chairman and CEO Denis Handlin was also awarded an AO for distinguished service to the Australian recording industry, through leadership and mentoring roles, as a supporter of young artists, and to charitable organisations as a director, patron and contributor.
ARLC Chairman John Grant said all were worthy recipients of Queen’s Birthday Honours, having collectively been an important part of Rugby League for decades.
“These awards recognise the work that these outstanding members of our community have done over many years,” Mr Grant said.
“Importantly, these are leaders in rugby league and it is certainly fitting they have been recognised in this way.
“They should all be proud of their achievements and in particular these honours. We are certainly proud they have all been such a significant part of rugby league.”
Anderson succeeded the late Jock Colley as CRL chairman in 2014, and has worked tirelessly in Indigenous communities to promote active lifestyles.
Originally from Newcastle, he has a long association with the South Newcastle club and is a former chairman of the Newcastle Rugby League.
Broughton’s involvement with the game started as a player with St George Dragons in the 1950s, before moving to coaching, initially in lower grades with St George and later as first grade coach at Newtown, Balmain and Brisbane Brothers.
Broughton began his career in administration with the NSWRL in the 1990s, before playing a key role in the establishment of the Gold Coast Titans and serving as chairman of the club. The Titans’ player of the year award is named in his honour.
Sharpe, the assistant commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, is a former Canberra Raiders lower grade player who has been a mentor to the Raiders. He also captained Narooma Devils to a Group 16 grand final victory in 1999.
Sinclair brings 50 years of voluntary contribution to the Cardiff Cobras club as a player, coach and trainer, while Smith has almost 50 years of involvement in junior rugby league in western Sydney.
Fennessy has been a director of Sydney Roosters since 2007, while Handlin has been a long-term supporter of rugby league, highlighted by his involvement in arranging acts for grand final and State of Origin pre-game entertainment
Queen’s Birthday Honours
AM (Members in the General Division)
Mark Fennessy - for significant service to the broadcast media industry as an entrepreneur, innovator and production executive.
AO (Officer in the General Division)
Denis Handlin - for distinguished service to the Australian recording industry, through leadership and mentoring roles, as a supporter of young artists, and to charitable organisations as a director, patron and contributor.
OAM (Order of Australia Medal)
John (Choc) Anderson - for service to rugby league in regional New South Wales.
Paul Broughton - for service to rugby league, and to the community.
David Sharpe - for service to rugby league, and to the community of the Australian Capital Territory.
Dallas Sinclair - for service to rugby league.
Warren Smith - for service to rugby league.
