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PERTH, Western Australia – The legendary Harry Rayner of the famous North Beach Rugby League club in Perth, Western Australia has died.

Rayner grew up in the coastal city of North Beach, about thirty kilometres from the West Australian capital Perth. He played rugby league with other North Beach boys at the closest Catholic seniors school, CBC Leederville.

When two local men Vern Landwehr and Wally Stein banded together a group of players and founded the North Beach Rugby League Club in 1951, a Reserve Grade team was entered in the burgeoning W.A. competition. There was also an Under 11s team which starred among others, Harry Rayner and his best mate Colin McEvoy. Alongside them was Phil ‘Chill’ Spencer, Peter Pearsall, Bill Green, Ken Clough, Bob Spencer, Dave Bell, Brian Northway, Ted Edwards, and Ron Brough among others. The team was coached by Stein and managed by Landwehr.

Rayner was a natural. He played five eighth and captained his sides; was a superb tackler and brilliant in attack. By the time he was 17 he was playing First Grade, and at the same age in 1960 he won state selection to play for Western Australia.

At 17 he also won the Brice Trophy, now known as the Ken Allen Medal, an award for the Most Outstanding Player in Western Australia. He was and remains the youngest ever player to win the award. He is also one of very few players to have won it twice. He won it again in 1969.

Harry Rayner played several seasons of First Grade after coming up from the North Beach juniors. He was named a Life Member in 1968 while still playing first grade, and after he finished playing, he went on to coach several North Beach teams.

Rayner was dubbed a Legend, the first of two players to receive the honour, at a special 60th Anniversary Dinner of the Club on Saturday night, May 14 2011. The other player to receive the award, and who virtually emulated Rayner’s career, was Eddie Campbell. “These players have met strict selection criteria and their achievements are at the highest level, not just at this club, but in the state level of the game as well,” then-North Beach President Dale Lofts told the Stirling Times at the time.

The Club is very proud of the achievements of our Club Legends, Harry Rayner and Eddie Campbell,” Lofts added

On hand to see the presentation was foundation member, and Harry Rayner’s first coach, Wally Stein, whose own contribution as a president, player and coach (and later, referee) was recognised by the North Beach club in his being named a Life Member in 1966.

“Sadly last Friday, the one and only Harry Rayner passed away! Harry Rayner was the first North Beach player to gain state selection and in 1958 was a part of our Reserve Grade Premiers side. Harry won the Brice Trophy in 1960 and was our Best & Fairest in 1960,1962 & 1964! We send our Condolences to the Rayner family! The Funeral will be held on the 25th September, 2:00pm at the West Chapel, Pinnaroo, with drinks at the North `Beach Rugby League club afterwards,” the North Beach Rugby League club said in statement issued on Wednesday.