Norman Fender
Norman Fender | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 September 1910 Cardiff, Wales |
| Died | 24 October 1983 (aged 73) |
| Occupation(s) | Rugby union and rugby league footballer |
| Known for | Representing Wales in rugby union and rugby league; touring Australasia with Great Britain rugby league team |
Norman Henry Fender (2 September 1910 – 24 October 1983) was a distinguished Welsh athlete who excelled in both rugby union and rugby league. He played as a flanker for Cardiff in rugby union and later joined York in rugby league. Fender achieved six international appearances for Wales in rugby union and also represented the Welsh national team in rugby league. During the 1932/33 season, he was part of the Great Britain squad that toured Australasia.
International achievements
Between 1930 and 1931, Norman Fender earned international caps playing rugby union for Wales while with Cardiff RFC, facing opponents such as Ireland, France, England, and Scotland. After switching codes to rugby league, he toured Australasia with Great Britain during the 1932/33 season as a York player, participating in 14 matches and scoring 11 tries on tour. Additionally, from 1932 to 1938, he secured nine caps representing Wales in rugby league while playing for York.
County Cup Final performances
In the 1936 Yorkshire Cup Final held at Headingley, Leeds on 17 October 1936, Fender contributed to York's 9–2 triumph over Wakefield Trinity by playing at left-forward and successfully kicking a goal during the 1936–37 Northern Rugby Football League season.
Club tenure
Fender made his first appearance for York on 29 August 1931 and remained with the club until his final match on 18 September 1938.
Recognition at York Rugby League
Norman Fender was honored in March 2013 as one of the first inductees into the York Rugby League Hall of Fame. He was recognized alongside notable players including Geoffrey Pryce, Gary Smith, Vic Yorke, Willie Hargreaves, Basil Watts, and Edgar Dawson.
Bibliography
- Godwin, Terry. The International Rugby Championship 1883–1983. Willow Books, London, 1984.
- Smith, David & Williams, Gareth. Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. University of Wales Press, Cardiff, 1980.
External links
- 1910 births
- 1983 deaths
- 20th-century Welsh sportsmen
- British publicans
- Cardiff RFC players
- Dual-code rugby internationals
- Rugby league locks
- Rugby league players from Cardiff
- Rugby union flankers
- Rugby union players from Cardiff
- Wales international rugby union players
- Wales national rugby league team players
- Welsh rugby league players
- Welsh rugby union players
- York Wasps players