ASRU Life Membership awarded 1996
John Howard was a stalwart of rugby union in Australia for more than sixty years. He was a great supporter of schools rugby, both directly and indirectly, and a true friend to the Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers of both the NSW Schools Rugby Union and the Australian Schools Rugby Union.
John trained as an accountant and was a partner of Meagher, Howard & Wright in Bondi Junction, names long and deeply aligned with Australian rugby.
He was credited with conceptualising the Rugby World Cup and played a significant role in the first tournament, held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987. He was the inaugural Honorary Treasurer of Rugby World Cup 1987.
John’s involvement in rugby administration began in 1958. In the early 1960s, he served as Secretary of the NSW Junior Rugby Union from 1961 to 1965. He was also a referee in Sydney from 1959 to 1978, refereeing First Grade between 1969 and 1978, while also serving as Secretary of the Society of Referees from 1967 to 1971.
He was Honorary Secretary of the NSW and Sydney Rugby Referees Associations from 1967 to 1971, and later held the positions of Chairman and Treasurer with the NSW Rugby Union between 1971 and 1979.
John served as a board member of the Australian Rugby Union for 22 years, from 1972 to 1994, including 17 years as Honorary Treasurer. He was made a Life Member of the ARU in 1988.
From 1972, John was closely involved with the Australian Barbarians, helping ensure that the proud Baa Baas tradition continued in Australia, including two periods as Secretary. He was invited to become a Barbarian in 1974.
In 1973, John was Manager of the Scotland team on its Centenary visit to Australia. That same year, at the request of the Australian Rugby Union, he authored Australia’s Blueprint to Australian Rugby, a document acknowledged as having contributed significantly to Australia’s later rugby successes.
John was appointed as a delegate to the International Rugby Football Board Conference in 1976, held in the Board’s Centenary year. He was also Manager of the Hong Kong Sevens in 1978.
At the Australian Schools Rugby Union, John served as Administrator and Treasurer across an extraordinary 45-year legacy, from 1975 to 2020. He was instrumental in the creation of the Australian Schools Foundation and was honoured with Life Membership of the Foundation in 2020.
John was President of Randwick Rugby Club from 1981 to 1996. In 1983, he was the Convenor of the International Golden Oldies Tournament.
In 1984, John was deservedly awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to rugby.
One of the great highlights of his rugby life came in 1988, when he organised the match between Randwick and New Zealand. It remains the only club game ever played against an international team in Australia.
John’s contribution to rugby was immense. Across schools, junior rugby, refereeing, club rugby, state and national administration, the Barbarians and the Rugby World Cup, his influence was profound and enduring. He gave his life to the game, and Australian rugby is richer for his service.
If you would like to leave a memorial note about or for John, please email us, and we will post it here.
Email: [email protected]
