The Parramatta Eels are delighted to announce that master coach, Jack Gibson and former player John Quayle (Eel #302) have been inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
Parramatta Eels Chief Executive Jim Sarantinos was pleased to confirm that two of the game’s most recognisable figures had been honoured.
“Jack Gibson and John Quayle are two figures in rugby league who revolutionised the game and we are delighted that they have been awarded such a prestigious honour,” said Jim Sarantinos.
Jack Gibson joins Wayne Bennett as the inaugural Coaches to be inducted.
Jack joined the Parramatta Eels for the 1981 season after coaching stints at Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney.
He took on a team of stalwarts such as Steve Edge, Bob O’Reilly, Michael Cronin and Ray Price, and developed new kids on the block - Peter Sterling, Eric Grothe, Brett Kenny and Steve Ella.
Jack, along with his assistant coach Ron Massey, spent his time researching new ways of player preparation and was the first in Australia to introduce regulated weight training, video analysis and more scientific fitness assessment.
A 30-minute motivational film called The Second Effort in 1971 featuring American football coach Vince Lombardi using motivational messages such as “mental toughness is an essential key to success” and “fatigue makes cowards of us all” and “confidence is contagious, and so is the lack of it” had a profound affect on Jack.
He demanded respect and he got it.
Jack coached the 1981 Parramatta Eels to their first Premiership win and went onto lead the club to two more consecutive premierships in 1982 and 1983 before departing the club as part of his belief that no coach should stay at one club for more than three years at a time. He cited the Eels’ first premiership of 1981 as his favourite moment and best achievement of his coaching career.
Fellow NRL Hall of Fame coach inductee, Wayne Bennett once said of Jack, “he's the most influential coach the game has ever had. He changed the face of our game in how coaches were perceived and how the game was played and approached.”
“That's his greatest legacy; he brought us out of the dark ages into a credible place in sport.”
Joining Jack Gibson in the NRL Hall of Fame is former Parramatta Eel John Quayle (#Eel 302) who was inducted as a Contributor.
The Australian and NSW representative, played first-grade for the Parramatta Eels between 1973 and 1976, playing 58 games for 13 tries and 39 points.
John Quayle eventually went on to be a lead administrator within the Australian Rugby League and became a highly respected revolutionary of the game.
Ironically, John was born in 1947, the same year that Parramatta played their first season in the N.S.W.R.L. competition.
The Parramatta Eels congratulate the family of Jack Gibson, and John Quayle on their prestigious honours.
THROWBACK - Jack Gibson
