Cootamundra’s rugby league community is remembering a true legend of local league, James ‘Jim’ Moon, who sadly passed away on Saturday, July 22, aged 76.
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The name Jim Moon and rugby league in Cootamundra go hand in hand.
His affiliation with the club dates back almost six decades to his first year playing for the Cootamundra Rugby League Football Club (CRLFC) in 1959.
Jim proudly wore the blue and white Cootamundra colours until 1964 when he moved to the Wollongong area and played for Western Suburbs for four years.
His playing days were at a time when rugby league was arguably at its height of popularity in the region and Jim’s name will go down in Cootamundra’s Maher Cup history.
It is hard to imagine an Australian trophy more steeped in history, with the legendary Maher Cup capturing the imagination of all in the region from 1920 until 1971.
On his return to Cootamundra from the Illawarra, Jim’s commitment to the Rugby League Club never waned.
Broken ribs meant the end of his playing days, however his retirement was from the field only as he enthusiastically took up coaching and committee work.
His passion for the sport rendered him perfect for promoting the game of rugby league including having a hand in the under 18s competition and at one point lending his support to a mid-week competition.
In September 1986, while he was secretary of the CRLFC, Jim was afforded life membership of the club; a deserving honour for his long-standing affiliation with the club.
As recently as this decade, Jim joined in the club’s centenary celebrations in 2014 and was one of the co-organisers of the Maher Cup reunion in 2016.
Jim’s association with the CRLFC lives on through his grandchildren, themselves having received a passion for the sport and the blue and white jumper from their parents.
Jim’s son-in-laws, John Glanville, husband of Julianne, and Wayne Berkrey, husband of Melissa, also played for the Bulldogs.
In recent years, Jim and wife Margaret enjoyed cheering on six of their seven grandchildren as they made their own memories on Les Boyd Oval at Fisher Park – Cootamundra’s spiritual home of rugby league.
Luke, Claire and Matt Berkrey together with their cousins Michael, Kristen and Renae Glanville have all played for the CRLFC.
Jim will be farewelled this Friday, July 28, commencing at 2pm in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Following the service, the cortege will leave for the Cootamundra Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Men of League Foundation will be gratefully received at the church.
