Frank Hyde
Encyclopedia
Frank Hyde, MBE
, OAM
, (7 February 1916 – 24 September 2007) was an Australian rugby league
footballer, coach and radio caller. A New South Wales representative three-quarter, Hyde played his club football in Sydney for NSWRFL Premiership clubs Newtown
, Balmain
and North Sydney
. Following his playing career Hyde enjoyed even greater success as a commentator, earning him Membership of the Order of the British Empire
and a place in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
. Residential rules of the time required him to play for the Balmain club, but he preferred to play with Newtown and managed two seasons there before the rule was enforced upon him. During his playing career, Hyde represented the Newtown Bluebags, (now Newtown Jets
), the Balmain Tigers
, the North Sydney Bears
and, at the state level, New South Wales
. He scored a try for the Balmain Tigers in their winning grand final of 1939, and was captain-coach of North Sydney when they reached the grand final in 1943 when defeated by Frank Farrell
's Newtown. However, due to World War II
, he was unable to represent the Australian national team.
Frank Hyde married Gaby Schofield at Waverley in 1942. He retired as a player in 1944.
He broadcast 33 consecutive New South Wales Rugby League
Grand finals from the Sydney Cricket Ground
between 1953 and 1983 (including the replays of 1977 and 1978) on Sydney radio station 2SM
from which he became famous. He also was a Rugby League journalist at the Fairfax Press for many years.
For many years, Hyde was a regular on Sydney television, mainly appearing with Ron Casey (Sydney broadcaster)
on the World Of Sport - a weekend Rugby League program on the Nine Network
.
Recording Career
During the 1970's, Hyde recorded 3 albums: Frank Hyde Sings (EMI Records 1973), The Frank Hyde Party Sing-a-long and Frank Hyde Sings For The Good Times. His famous rendition of the Irish classic Danny Boy
, with Try A Little Kindness as the B Side were released on Parlophone Records in 1973 as a single and reached No.7 in the Sydney top 40 in 1973.
.
On 26 January 1990, Hyde was awarded the Medal of the Order Of Australia (OAM
) for services to Rugby League Football and the media.
On 24 October 2000, at the age of 84, Hyde was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
for his service to the game of rugby league as player, coach and broadcaster.
The Frank Hyde Shield is contested on an annual basis between the Newtown and North Sydney clubs.
and Melbourne
and a minute's silence prior to the Premier League Grand Final.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, OAM
OAM
OAM is an acronym that may refer to:*OA&M, Operations, Administration, and Maintenance*Oamaru Aerodrome, New Zealand*Object access method*Observatorio Astronómico de Mallorca, an observatory in Spain*U.S...
, (7 February 1916 – 24 September 2007) was an Australian rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer, coach and radio caller. A New South Wales representative three-quarter, Hyde played his club football in Sydney for NSWRFL Premiership clubs Newtown
Newtown Jets
The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
, Balmain
Balmain Tigers
The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
and North Sydney
North Sydney Bears
The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on...
. Following his playing career Hyde enjoyed even greater success as a commentator, earning him Membership of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
and a place in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Playing career
Born Francis Patrick Aloysius Hyde in 1916, he grew up in inner-city Sydney in The RocksThe Rocks, New South Wales
The Rocks is an urban locality, tourist precinct and historic area of Sydney's city centre, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, immediately north-west of the Sydney central business district...
. Residential rules of the time required him to play for the Balmain club, but he preferred to play with Newtown and managed two seasons there before the rule was enforced upon him. During his playing career, Hyde represented the Newtown Bluebags, (now Newtown Jets
Newtown Jets
The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
), the Balmain Tigers
Balmain Tigers
The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
, the North Sydney Bears
North Sydney Bears
The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on...
and, at the state level, New South Wales
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
. He scored a try for the Balmain Tigers in their winning grand final of 1939, and was captain-coach of North Sydney when they reached the grand final in 1943 when defeated by Frank Farrell
Frank Farrell (rugby league)
Francis Michael "Bumper" Farrell was an Australian premiership winning and national representative rugby league footballer. A prop forward, his long club career was with the Newtown Bluebags from 1938 to 1951 with four Test appearances for the Australian national side between 1946 and 1948...
's Newtown. However, due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was unable to represent the Australian national team.
Frank Hyde married Gaby Schofield at Waverley in 1942. He retired as a player in 1944.
Media career
Hyde began his career as a broadcaster in 1953 and found immediate success as a Rugby League commentator. His 'legendary' call, accompanying a shot for goal, of "It's long enough, it's high enough and it's straight between the posts" became an iconic part of the game.He broadcast 33 consecutive New South Wales Rugby League
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
Grand finals from the Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
between 1953 and 1983 (including the replays of 1977 and 1978) on Sydney radio station 2SM
2SM
2SM is an Australian radio station, licensed to and serving Sydney, New South Wales, broadcasting on 1269 kilohertz on the AM band. It is owned and operated by Broadcast Operations Group...
from which he became famous. He also was a Rugby League journalist at the Fairfax Press for many years.
For many years, Hyde was a regular on Sydney television, mainly appearing with Ron Casey (Sydney broadcaster)
Ron Casey (Sydney broadcaster)
Ronald Arthur Casey, OAM, was a former colourful television presenter, sports journalist and talk-back radio host based in Sydney, Australia. His nickname was The Case....
on the World Of Sport - a weekend Rugby League program on the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
.
Recording Career
During the 1970's, Hyde recorded 3 albums: Frank Hyde Sings (EMI Records 1973), The Frank Hyde Party Sing-a-long and Frank Hyde Sings For The Good Times. His famous rendition of the Irish classic Danny Boy
Danny Boy
-Background:The words to "Danny Boy" were written by English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly in 1910. Although the lyrics were originally written for a different tune, Weatherly modified them to fit the "Londonderry Air" in 1913, after his sister-in-law in the U.S. sent him a copy. Ernestine...
, with Try A Little Kindness as the B Side were released on Parlophone Records in 1973 as a single and reached No.7 in the Sydney top 40 in 1973.
Honours and awards
On 1 January 1974, at the age of 57, Hyde was made a Member of Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
.
On 26 January 1990, Hyde was awarded the Medal of the Order Of Australia (OAM
OAM
OAM is an acronym that may refer to:*OA&M, Operations, Administration, and Maintenance*Oamaru Aerodrome, New Zealand*Object access method*Observatorio Astronómico de Mallorca, an observatory in Spain*U.S...
) for services to Rugby League Football and the media.
On 24 October 2000, at the age of 84, Hyde was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
for his service to the game of rugby league as player, coach and broadcaster.
The Frank Hyde Shield is contested on an annual basis between the Newtown and North Sydney clubs.
Death
Frank Hyde outlived his wife Gaby by seven months, and died on 24 September 2007 at the age of 91. He was survived by his 6 children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was honoured at the 2007 NRL Grand Final with a video-tribute during the half time break of the match between ManlyManly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
and Melbourne
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
and a minute's silence prior to the Premier League Grand Final.