THE 1959 AUSTRALIAN MEN’S TEAM vs WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY/ UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA By Horrie Webber Published posthumously with editing and additions by John Nolan 2015

The season of 1959 is one that will be long remembered by those who took part in it, to be viewed almost with awe by those who have come after. Australia earned for itself the right to be considered a major lacrosse nation, whether it eventually fulfilled the high promise of 1959 remains to be seen, but the visit of teams from the United States of America to Australia was an event of national importance. The 1959 tour of an American team toAustralia was conceived by Gene Corrigan, lacrosse coach at the University of Virginia, in early 1957. Gene Corrigan was head lacrosse coach at Washington & Lee University from 1956-58 and at University of Virginia from 1959-67.Gene Corrigan had taken the Washington & Lee team to England several years before and had alsoreceived reports of Australian lacrosse from members of the U.S.A. Olympic field hockey team that participated in the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956, and contacted the controlling bodies of lacrosse in Australia. From that time he worked unceasingly towards the fulfilment of his idea. Unfortunately prior to the Australian tour Gene’s wife Lena was expecting another child and was having some health issues so it was not possible for Gene to participate in that tour. As Gene explained in 2018 “Mybrother George had been an All- American player at the University of Maryland and had kept involved with the game as a graduate. When I could not make the trip I asked him to take my place, he knew all about the players from both teams and they knew what a terrific person he was. George was involved in a business at that time and he left that position against the wishes of his partners, costing him a position when he returned. He succeeded in business as we all expected him to do during the rest of his life! I cannot imagine anyone doing what he did to make that trip possible. Anyway, thank goodness he was willing to take on the trip and I doubt there could have been a better person to make this trip such a great event for the team than he was.” The team had two playing coaches - George Corrigan who was taking the place of Gene Corrigan representing UVA, and Robert McHenry who became coach of Washington & Lee following Gene’s appointment as coach at UVA. Robert McHenry had been a player at Washington & Lee while Gene Corrigan was coach. The American team was billeted by Australian players and supporters throughout the tour, which started in , then on to for more warm up games and finished in Melbourne through participation in the Australian Carnival matches and culminated in the test match at the MCG. Clearly it was an extremely well organized tour from both ends and as can be seen from the souvenir programme for the Australian championships and the test match between Australian and the USA, there was a lot of support from many people and companies in Australia, including General Motors-Holden, which had only been established in 1948, the Melbourne Cricket Club, the Myer Emporium, Ansett - ANA and many small businesses and supporters. The Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda was also a sponsor and the South Australian team stayed at the hotel for the carnival. “Thanks must be given to the late I. J. Taylor, Carl Schulz of , and the present secretary of the Australian Lacrosse Council, Mr Algy Taylor, for their untiring efforts to make this tour possible and I feel that the Executive Officer of each state will join with me in thanking them for their sterling efforts.” The Victorian Amateur Lacrosse Association had already committed itself heavily to provide money. It then set about arranging the details of the visit of the Americans to Australia. The American team would be drawn from the Universities of Virginia and Washington and Lee. It should be understood that it was only in the universities of the United States, that the gamewas played under amateur conditions. The visit therefore was one in which American amateurs would compete with amateurs in the southern states of Australia. The task of preparing for the American visit was complicated by the circumstance that in 1959 Melbourne was the venue for the nationalcarnival. The carnival in itself required much pre-thought and careful administration, but the task became gigantic when the responsibilities of an international visit were also undertaken. The Victorian Amateur Lacrosse Association promptly set itself to the task. At the first meeting it was decided to appoint a series of sub-committees to make arrangements for every contingency they could foresee. It was decided that for each sub-committee a senior member of the Executive should be appointed, to be known as the convenor and chairman. All sub-committees were empowered to co-opt such colleagues as they thought suitable. Each sub-committee should report at least once a month to the Executive Committee. The following sub-committees were set up:

1. Billeting: Noel Jeffrey (Convenor), MaxKindermann to be the elected member, and NoelJeffrey was to nominate the third member. 2. Entertainment: Bill Gray Snr (Convenor), Phil Humphreys, Charlie Middleton and RoyReddaway elected members. 3. Publicity: Bert Sterck (Convenor), Maurie Aitken, R. Goslin and J. Hughes elected members. 4. Finance Officers: Frank Lansbury was appointed Finance Officer for the carnival and US visit, with Alan Bamford to assist. 5. Ground Arrangement: R. Goslin (Convenor), Jim Daw Senior and John Tomlinson elected members.

The senior selection committee consisted of A. Bamford, W. Logan and C. Middleton. The junior selection committee consisted of K. Claus, W. Gray and C. F Lansbury. The senior interstate coach was Mr C. Middleton and the junior coach Mr F. Moore.

At the Executive Committee (1 April 1959) the reports from the sub-committees were received. A verbal report was received from the Publicity Committee which revealed that advertising space in Batman Avenue had been reserved for four weeks. A budget of the estimated expenditure for the carnival and the visit of the American players would be presented at the next meeting. The Billeting Committee reported that it felt confident that there would be sufficient response. The offers would probably exceed the demand and selection might be necessary. To ensure that guests and hosts would be compatible, Mr Corrigan had been asked to furnish as soon as possible information on each visitor stating: Name Age Course of study Special Interests Any aspect of Australian Life interested in Religious denomination A questionnaire was then issued through the clubs along the following lines: “I would be glad to billet etc. . . . “ Name Address Club Occupation Phone (Business and Private) Type of accommodation (E.g. Single bed in separate room, share bedroom, divan bed in sunroom etc) Will accommodation be available for the full period of the carnival? Will accommodation be available for one or two days on the arrival of the visitors in Melbourne on 2nd July? Will you be at work or on leave during the carnival? Proximity of home to public transport? Could you provide transport to training, matches, sight-seeing, etc? Religious denomination? The questionnaire should be returned by 31 May. At the Executive Committee meeting (27 April 1959) the Entertainment Committee tabled its report. The estimates for complimentary tickets were based on the visiting teams, the Victorian senior team and their coach. It was moved that the President, the Executive and the Honorary Records Secretary, and their ladies, should also be on the complimentary list. The Entertainments Committee was allowed £650.00. The Publicity Committee presented its report which was received with approbation and an allowance of £160. Details of the conduct of play needed to be arranged. There were different interpretations of some rules in each state. The Victorian association recommended to the Australian Lacrosse Council that there should be a meeting between representatives of the three southern states to arrive at uniformity of the laws and their interpretation before the carnival and the arrival of the United States teams.It was decided to buy a stop watch as V.A.L.A property. The interstate selectors were requested to start interstate training, first by supplying the Hon. Secretary a list of 32 names for the senior training squad, by Monday, 25 May. Training would begin on the first Sunday in June, at Caulfield Park at 10 a.m. Clubs were asked to forward the names of players in the Colts team by the same date, with similar training arrangements. At the Executive Committee meeting on 25 May it was stated that a request had been made to the Commanding Officer of the City of Melbourne Regiment for the band to play at the international match to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. At a special Executive Committee meeting (7 June 1959) further activities of the Publicity Committee were outlined: Mr Sterck showed calico car-boot signs for the visit of the American players. The state coach was reimbursed the sum of £15 for T- Shirts for the interstate training squad. At the Executive Committee (22 June 1959) Mr C.F. Lansbury was appointed manager of the first and second Victorian teams, Mr P. Shappere, manager of the Colts team, andMr T. Allington assistant coach. A panel of Liaison Officers consisting of Messrs F. Durham, H. Wood, A. Bamford, K. Buchanan, N. Buckley, G. Knowles, M. Kindermann and B. Newgreen. Mr N.O’Brien was appointed referee for the game U.S.A v on 1 August and the Victorian second side game on 5 August. Mr F. Durham was appointed referee for the game between South Australia and on 1 August, and U.S.A vs Colts on 30 July. This panel was increased at the special Executive Committee meeting (7 July 1959) to: USA v Vic Colts 30 July F. Durham USA v Vic (1) 1 August N. O’Brien SA v WA 1 August R. Kilvert USA v Vic (2) 5 August F. Durham SA v Vic 5 August N. O’Brien The Victorian panel of goal umpires was: Messrs R. Cameron, K. Buchanan, N. Buckley, H. Sterck, M. Taylor, K. Waite, J. Daw Snr, J. Corrigan, T. Peppard, R. Dickson, C. Wheeler, B. Smith, R. Davis, J. Hodges and M. Kindermann. Boundary umpires and ball-boys were left in the hands of Messrs C. Middleton and W. Gray. The Hon Secretary would arrange time-keepers. Admission to the games was fixed at 3/- on week days and 4/- on Saturdays. Programmes had to be printed, and the price of the programmes would be a shilling. The University of Melbourne made its facilities available for training. General Motors - Holden made available two sedan cars to help with transport. The drivers assigned to these cars were, No1.car - Messrs C. Middleton and F. Lansbury, No 2 car - Messrs R. Goslin and G. Aitken. Every possible contingency seemed to be covered. The Western Australian association had requested billets for some members of its team. The Billeting Officer, Mr N. Jeffrey was able to report that billets had been found for all members of the United States teams and for those members of the Western Australian team for whom billets had been requested. The Publicity Committee reported that signs for the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Wellington Parade had been approved. Mr Sterck was asked to procure 50 American flags and 50 Australian flags. The Entertainment Committee reported its activities, and Mr W. Gray was asked to provide an approved free list. The toast list was to be formulated by the Executive and the President.A public address system was organised for the Albert Ground. Mr C. Middleton was nominated as the Victorian representative on the Australian Lacrosse Council’s selection panel. The Victorian Executive decided that he should be sent to Adelaide to watch the United States v South Australia game if he felt that it would help in the preparation of the Victorian team. Rain Insurance for £200 was taken out against 10 points or more of rain falling between 11a.m and 2p.m on the day of the International game. Two under 16 teams would play a 6 a side match during the interval, for which Mr. W. Gray was requested to buy 14 sets of protective equipment. Mr F. Knowles was appointed Liaison Officer for the South Australian team, and Mr F. Durham for the Western Australians. The Entertainment Committee was requested to arrange suitable entertainment for ladies accompanying the South Australian and Western Australian teams. It would seem that the Victorian Executive Committee had foreseen every possible contingency and made arrangements to meet it. If Murphy’s Law had been formulated as early as 1959, the interstate carnival demonstrated that, if anything can go wrong, it will. We learn from the report of the Western Australian state team manager that the Western Australian team arrived in Melbourne the day before they were expected. They were met only by heavy rain. The Victorian association was unaware of their arrival. Billeting had been organised to start from the following day. There was much agitated telephoning. Eventually accommodation was found for them at the YMCA, which placed every facility at the team’s disposal, including the gymnasium. The Western Australian team was now fragmented. Some members had arranged their own accommodation. The Victorian officials arranged for billeting and training the next day. The rain continued, and the University ground was unfit for play. On learning of this the Victorian officials arranged for the Western Australians to practise at Malvern, but their manager could not contact many of their players. The team could not train together until the afternoon of Friday 31 July, by which time the University ground had recovered sufficiently for the Western Australian team to put in a good, solid session. The visit of the American team to Perth was a great success, though the financial returns fell short of what the association had hoped. Games were played on 4,7,9 and 11 July. The Western Australian association planned and conducted the visit of the American teams to their state with their usual thoroughness and generosity. The visitors were billeted privately. Western Australian hosts threw open their houses and entertained them regardless of expense or trouble. The press and the radio co-operated fully. The “Western Australian”, the “Daily News” and the “Sunday Times” covered the visit generously with articles and illustrations. Stations 6 WF ( RonHalcombe), 6 IX (Monty Menhennel) 6PR (Oliver Drake- Brockman) and 6 PM(Graham Goodon) gave the visit much time. The Clifton Advertising Agency provided programmes cost free. The first match against the Americans was played on 4 July, and the “Daily News” printed a lively cartoon entitled Rigley on Independence Day, showing a lively incident of play with many casualties”, under which the caption read. “I used to think that the boys in the Boston Massacre and the Battle of Valley Forge had it tough.” The Americans were welcomed by the President of the Western Australian Lacrosse Association, Mr H. Rudderham, who said: “As President of the Western Australian Lacrosse Association it is my privilege and very great pleasure to extend to our American visitors a very cordial welcome to this state. “Coming from Virginia and Washington & Lee Universities you have travelled many thousands of miles to take part in series of matches with us. All lacrosse enthusiasts, and indeed the sporting public of the state generally, are looking forward with the loveliest anticipation to the forthcoming games which will be the first international fixtures played in Australia for more than 50 years.May I express the hope that will make many enduring friendships during your stay with us and that these lasting associations will provide the incentive which will ensure that your visit is only the forerunner of many international contests between players of our two countries. Your stay in this state will be all too short. However, I trust that the various functions which have been arranged for your entertainment will leave you with many pleasant recollections of the “Golden West””. The President of the Australian Lacrosse Council, Mr J L Carden, also welcomed the visitors. “As President of the Australian Lacrosse Council it gives me great pleasure to welcome the visitors to our shores, a visit which we trust will remain a happy memory for many years to come, not only to the visitors but to all officials and players in Australia who feel that the interest already shown will be very beneficial to the game in this country. Thanks must be given to the late I. J Taylor, Mr Carl Schulz of South Australia, and the present secretary of the Australian Lacrosse Council, Mr Algy Taylor, for their untiring efforts to make this tour possible and I feel that the Executive Officer of each state will join with me in thanking them for their sterling efforts.” The visitorswere : University of Virginia Washington and Lee George Corrigan (Coach) Robert McHenry (Coach) Deely Nice Walter Thompson Peter Quesenberry Jay Stull Ken Sappington Harrison Alley Jay Taylor Hunter Tracht John Storkerson Mike Applefeld John Spilman Clark Lea Butch McCleary John Dinkel Barry Feldstein Skip Horst John Snyder Corky Briscoe Melville Church Leslie Peard Tommy Swindell Henry Bohlman Fred Askin (Manager) The combined universities team arrived in Perth on 2 July and played a warm-up match of Washington and Lee vs Virginia on 4 July at Leederville Oval, no doubt celebrating American Independence Day that evening. They played three matches in Perth and defeated 3 WA teams – defeating W.A. combined clubs 10-8 at Perth Esplanade on 7 July, W.A. combined clubs 8-6 at Fremantle Oval on 9 July and W.A. state team 12-8 at Subiaco Oval on 11 July.This was the last time Subiaco Oval was used as a venue for lacrosse. A farewell ball was held at the Subiaco Civic Centre. The team departed for Adelaide by train on14 July and arrived in Adelaide on 16 July for an official reception at Adelaide train station. The tour had a massive impact on the lacrosse community in W.A., which led to significant changes in rules and protective equipment. In Adelaide the S.A. team was brilliant and won the first two matches. The third match showed a vast improvement in the American team and they managed a one goal win. The scores for these three matches were 13-5, 12-6 at Norwood Oval (under lights for the second match), and the final match 10-9 to the Americans at Thebarton Oval. The American team departed by private cars for Melbourne on the morning of 27 July, arriving the same day in Melbourne. The American matches were interspersed among the carnival matches. The American team defeated the Victorian teams on the 3 occasions they met; the first two matches very easily (14-5 & 15-4) but just scraped in against the Victorian No. 2 team 7-6. There can be no doubt that the visit of the Americans to Australia revealed international horizons to Australian lacrosse players. Even before the Americans had left there was talk of a return visit to America, and young lacrosse players were advised to save money to be able to make the trip, which took place in 1962. The importance of the revolution in transport brought about by the development of long range passenger aircraft made it possible for Australian teams to play in other countries. This was one of the factors that made it possible for the American team to visit Australia. Time was no longer a vital factor. Air travel was necessarily expensive, but problems of finance can be solved if the people concerned are determined and resourceful. It is possible that entirely new relationships between lacrosse players in the world were about to be formed. The potential of the pioneering effect of the visit by the Virginia and Washington & Lee universities cannot be overestimated. What remained to be seen was whether Australian lacrosse authorities could produce leaders of sufficient faith and authority to enable their players to win world recognition. But the American visit was not the only subject worthy of consideration in 1959. Concurrently with the American visit to Victoria the interstate carnival was carried through. This now traditional contest to decide which state was the Australian champion and the custodian of the Garland - McHarg Cup was very keen. The results of the matches were, Victoria 15 defeated WA 3, SA 9 defeated Victoria 5, and SA 20 defeated WA 1, thus SA won the Garland-McHarg Cup. The Bob Symonds Cup (For annual matches between Victoria and South Australia) was retained by SA, giving them their third victory in succession, but on this occasion by a vastly reduced margin. The Brady Trophy, presented for the most outstanding player of the carnival, went to Ralph Turner (SA). The 1959 Australian men’s lacrosse team was the second team to play an overseas touring team, the first being in 1907 when the Australian team and most of the state teams played Canada. In 1907 the match against Canada was also played at the MCG in front of approximately 16,000 spectators. The 1959 Australian team was selected and announced on 5 August 1959, following the Australian carnival in Melbourne, and was to play the combined University of Virginia and Washington & Lee University team on 8 August. The Australian selectors chose 12 players from S.A. and 6 from Victoria from the teams of S.A., Victoria and W.A. Practices were held at Melbourne University on the Thursday and at a park area in St Kilda on the Friday before the match to determine combinations and illustrate tactics, etc. Team meetings were also held to instruct in theory and to allow players from different states to become better acquainted.

Above is an interesting comment in a local Melbourne newspaper on the day of the Test. Given there were 100,000 tickets offered, how many people actually attended the match?

The names and clubs the Australian team represented are as follows:- Back row: Ken Bemold (Glenelg), Alan Pearce (Brighton), Brian Jeffery (Adelaide University), Ralph Turner (Port Adelaide), Graham Lines (Port Adelaide), Graham Reid (Coburg) and Jim Daw (Malvern). Centre row: Ross Keen (Glenelg), Don Gomer (Sturt), Bruce Neill (Brighton), Alan Vial (Brighton - Mgr), Bryan Gomer (Sturt), Bill Daw (Malvern) and Denis Trainor (Caulfield). Front row: Ted Blackler(Brighton - Trainer), Roy Reddaway (Malvern), Bob Johnston (North Adelaide), Dudley Hamilton (Brighton), Roy Sloggett (Malvern), Allan Gandy (Glenelg/North Adelaide) and Ken Roennfeldt (Brighton - Coach). Note: The names of the players are correctly spelt above, there are several errors in the photograph As the manager, Alan Vial wrote”The combining of all players was excellent, and to further this end, all members of the team spent a social time together at the Prince of Wales Hotel (Fitzroy Street, St Kilda), up till10pm on the night preceding the game, and on the morning of the game l arranged that the team have an early meal at the hotel. Accommodation for the team at the MCG was excellent, but the playing area, due to heavy rain, was not. During the game, the manager, coach, trainer and reserve players were accommodated on seats on the side-line, opposite to the main stand. This position allowed the changing of the players at the Coach’s will and under his close direction.” As the coach Keith Roennfeldt stated in his report to ALC on tactics, “It was observed earlier, that the American team’s practised method of scoring was mainly from the pass from behind goal to players in front who were adept in scoring with either a flick or deflecting action rather a defined catch and throw. At the other end, accent was placed on speed of movement and passing with the assistance of a mobile and versatile centre field. Since we had players with speed and stamina, it was not considered a risk for defence players to take the ball into attack or for attack players to defend where necessary.” In the coach’s report he listed each player and how they performed and it is pleasing to note how many members of the Lambton Mount Lacrosse Club played in that team in 1959- Roy Sloggett, Allan Gandy, Denis Trainor and Graham Reid. What was interesting to note was the commentary on the condition of the MCG, a surface that following its redevelopment in 1990 is playable all year round, regardless of rain, with drop in cricket pitches removed during winter. Different times and technology! The coach wrote “The shocking condition of the MCG detracted greatly from the speed and disposal of our style of game at centre and gave the American defence greater scope to assemble in force. That their “charges” were not as effective as in previous games, was due to the caution and evasion of players who suffered earlier through lack of protective equipment, and showed the methods of the visitors to disadvantage without the previous decimating results. The captain, Dudley Hamilton from SA wrote “Unfortunately the game was a poor spectacle and many people, who probably expected excellent lacrosse from these top class players, were disappointed with the display from a spectacle point of view. The major reason for this poor showing, l am certain, was the appalling ground conditions, which, except for a small area surrounding each goal, was one of the worst l have ever experienced. I had the feeling that the game became an “anti-climax”, and this may have contributed to the lack of fire in the game.” He went on to say “However, l am certain of one thing and that is, if the games between USA and Australia become a regular event, that it will take precedence over the carnival, as the Davis Cup has taken precedence over the Australian Championships in amateur tennis.(This comment was made in1959 but we could say that the tables have turned when we look at professional tennis in 2018 and compare it to the state of Davis Cup tennis). The match was played hard and vigorously, but fairly, by both sides and the spirit in which the game was played can best be stated by quoting an American after the match – I hate you on the field, but gee, l love you off the field”. The captain went on to say in his report “Much has been spoken about both a visit to America by an Australian team and a return visit by the Americans. Having led Australia in the first game ever played by Australia against America, l can only urge the Council (ALC), supported by its separate associations, to overcome the obstacles confronting these proposals, as soon as possible and also, at the same time, reintroduce and spread lacrosse to the remaining states of the Commonwealth. In conceding rules to both American and Australian styles of lacrosse, it is a matter of personal amazement to the writer that more confusion did not exist and from the standard of the games seen it speaks realms for the quick and clever adaption by the American players, and the intelligence of players on both sides. It is our considered opinion, that Australian style of lacrosse with greater speed in both movement and ball control, though probably less sensational, is more productive in goal tallies and gives strong point to the old theory “Play the ball, not the man!” As Vice-Captain Roy Sloggett who played in that test said, “In the end Australia made far more concessions on the rules than the Americans did”. Roy also felt that while he noted the coach’s and captain’s comment on the quality of the lacrosse due to the ground conditions, in the end it was a win, and it doesn’t have to be pretty, it has to be a win, and the standard was good given the conditions. The test match was the final game of the tour in Melbourne, resulting in a win to Australia 8 goals to 5. The referee for the match was Clive Carr (South Australia). Apparently the Americans did not like Clive Carr’s style as he was continually expelling American players a week earlier in the South Australian matches and objected to him refereeing in the test match, but the ALC felt otherwise and he was selected. No doubt in those days, given the difference in rules and interpretations between the U.S. and Australia, there would have been a lot of frustration on both sides as the Americans were not allowed to do the things that they did in U.S. competitions, which were far more relaxed when it came to brushing or slapping as they would say, as they had far more protective equipment than the Australian players. This opened up the eyes of the Australian lacrosse community to what was awaiting us overseas, with lacrosse prospering in American colleges and in Canada, and it was time to adopt some of the rules of the Americans, as we had been up until that time playing to the Canadian rules prior to Canada moving from to in the1930s.

Note the following errors and omissions of the above photograph. The above photograph does not include John Snyder for whatever reason and C. Lea is named twice, and is correctly shown in the centre row. We believe the player (Number 34) on the far left of the front row is in fact Peter Quesenberry, not Clark Lea (Number 11), who is in the centre row. While the Australian coach (Ken Roennfeld) and Dudley Hamilton are shown in the picture in the front row their names have been added by hand, and the University of Virginia playing coach, George Corrigan, has not been named, but is in the front row, seven from the right of picture, with his arms folded. Number 55 in the middle of the front row is E.”Corky” Briscoe (Captain).