Club mourns loss of former coach
Woy Woy Roosters Rugby League Football Club is mourning the loss of "one of its favourite sons", former coach Ron Derley.
Club secretary Mr Peter Read said Mr Derley would be fondly remembered for his good nature, loyalty to his family, friends and club which he instilled in players to make them all better for the experience of having been coached by him.
"After playing with the Roosters, Ron set out on a coaching career with Woy Woy and was appointed the club's D Grade coach in 1961, a position he held for the ensuing 10 years," Mr Read said.
"Based on a foundation of skills development and team harmony, Woy Woy featured in seven D grade grand finals between 1961 and 1969, winning premierships in 1961, 1963, 1967 and 1969.
"During this period Ron Derley helped deliver some great results for the club, but also nurtured and developed some of the finest rugby league players ever to play for the Roosters.
"It is estimated that more that 30 youngsters coached by Derley went on to play first grade, an astonishing achievement.
"Two of his players, John Monie and Peter Louis, went on to play first grade in Sydney and both returned to Woy Woy to be premiership winning first grade players and coaches.
"The most famous of all Ron Derley's proteges was Woy Woy's only home-grown international star Graham Eadie, who Ron coached as a 16-year-old in 1969."
Press release, 11 Sep 2009
Peter Read, Woy Woy Rugby League Football Club