Graham Mattson
Encyclopedia
Graham Victor Mattson is a New Zealand
former rugby league
player and coach who represented his country
and later coached Tonga
.
player in the Auckland Rugby League
competition and also represented Auckland
. Between 1964 and 1965 Mattson played in three test matches for the New Zealand Kiwis. Mattson worked as a Police Constable
.
before coaching the Mangere East Hawks
, spending most of his time with the lower grades.
In 1981 Mattson was the head coach of the new Papatoetoe Panthers club and was on their inaugural committee.
In 1990 he was appointed the Auckland
coach.
Mattson later coached Tonga
at the 1994 Pacific Cup
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
former 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...
player and coach who represented his country
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
and later coached Tonga
Tonga national rugby league team
The Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side, representing Tonga in rugby league football. Rugby league is a popular sport in Tonga, and the national team has become one of the best performed nations in the world...
.
Playing career
Mattson was a Point Chevalier PiratesPoint Chevalier Pirates
The Point Chevalier Pirates are an Auckland rugby league club based in Point Chevalier. The Pirates currently compete in the Phelan Shield competition run by the Auckland Rugby League.-History:The club was founded in 1920....
player in the Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
competition and also represented Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
. Between 1964 and 1965 Mattson played in three test matches for the New Zealand Kiwis. Mattson worked as a Police Constable
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
.
Coaching career
Mattson began his coaching career in the 1970s with Point ChevalierPoint Chevalier Pirates
The Point Chevalier Pirates are an Auckland rugby league club based in Point Chevalier. The Pirates currently compete in the Phelan Shield competition run by the Auckland Rugby League.-History:The club was founded in 1920....
before coaching the Mangere East Hawks
Mangere East Hawks
The Mangere East Hawks are a rugby league based in Mangere, New Zealand. The Hawks compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition.-History:The club was founded in 1964, before this teams from the area had been attached to the Otahuhu club...
, spending most of his time with the lower grades.
In 1981 Mattson was the head coach of the new Papatoetoe Panthers club and was on their inaugural committee.
In 1990 he was appointed the Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
coach.
Mattson later coached Tonga
Tonga national rugby league team
The Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side, representing Tonga in rugby league football. Rugby league is a popular sport in Tonga, and the national team has become one of the best performed nations in the world...
at the 1994 Pacific Cup
1994 Pacific Cup
-Group B:-Finals:-Semi Finals:-Third place playoff:-Final:...
.