David Boyle (rugby league, born 1959)

For the rugby league footballer of the 1990s, and 2000s for Canberra Raiders, and Bradford Bulls, see David Boyle (rugby league, born 1971).

David Boyle (born 31 August 1959^[3]) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition and for Hull FC in England.

David Boyle

Personal information
Born	(1959-08-31) 31 August 1959 (age 65)
Playing information
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	93 kg (14 st 9 lb)
Position	Prop, Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1982–91 South Sydney 169 7 0 0 28 1988–89 Hull FC 20 1 0 0 4 Total 189 8 0 0 32 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1987 New South Wales 4 1 0 0 4
Source: [1][2]

Playing career

Boyle played in the forwards, starting in the second row and moving to the front row midway through his career, though he was lightweight even by the standards of the 1980s. His high workrate, however, made him part of one of the strongest defences in the NSWRL competition of the late 1980s under George Piggins.

Boyle was selected to represent New South Wales as a forward for the three games of the 1987 State of Origin series as well as the fourth or 'exhibition' game of the year which was played at Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, California. Boyle scored one State of Origin try in game III. A one-club player, Boyle spent ten seasons with South Sydney. He was part of the 1989 Minor Premiership winning team.

Post playing

Boyle later moved into sports fitness and worked with St. George Illawarra Dragons and then the Rabbitohs as a strength and conditioning coach.^[4] David Boyle is a current board member of the Australian Strength & Conditioning Association.^[5]

In 2010, Boyle was the endorsed Australian Labor Party candidate for the NSW federal Division of Gilmore. On 18 June 2010, Boyle announced that he would withdraw as the endorsed candidate for Gilmore.^[6] Later that year he was elected as a councillor for Shellharbour Council.^[7]

In 2011, Boyle partnered with Pro Training Programs to offer his rugby league training programs for non professional athletes.^[8]

References

1. Rugby League Project
2. Yesterday's Hero
3. Gary Lester, ed. (1983). The Sun Book of Rugby League – 1983. Sydney, New South Wales: John Fairfax Marketing. p. 78. ISBN 0-909558-83-3.
4. "Sports round-up". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 July 2004. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
5. "About-Us". Australian Strength & Conditioning Association. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
6. "David Boyle to quit race for Gilmore". Illawarra Mercury. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
7. "David Boyle gets start in politics". South Coast Register. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
8. "David Boyle Rugby Union Training Programs". Pro Training Programs. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.