Les Rackley

Leslie Frank Rackley (born c.1954) is a former New Zealand amateur boxer and rugby union player. He won a bronze medal for boxing in the middleweight division at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.

Les Rackley
Personal information
Full nameLeslie Frank Rackley
Bornc.1954 (age 66–67)
RelativesJeff Rackley (brother)
Medal record
Men's boxing
Representing  New Zealand
British Commonwealth Games
1974 ChristchurchMiddleweight
Rugby career
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1977 Nelson Bays 3 (4)

Early life and family

Rackley was born into a noted sported family. His father, Les Rackley Sr, is a notable New Zealand boxing trainer; his brothers Jeff, Perry, and Dean all represented New Zealand in boxing at either Olympic or Commonwealth Games; and his sisters Margaret and Tish were both national volleyball representatives.[1] Les Rackley Jr was educated at Victory School in Nelson,[1] Nelson Intermediate School,[2] and then Nelson College from 1968 to 1972, where he was a member of the 1st XV rugby team in 1972 and the 1st XI cricket team in 1970 and 1971.[3]

Boxing

Trained by his father, Rackley won New Zealand junior titles at the national junior boxing championships in 1969 and 1970.[4] In 1971 he won the national intermediate welterweight title,[5] and in 1972 he was the New Zealand middleweight champion.[6] He went on to represent New Zealand at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, winning a bronze medal in the men's middleweight (71–75 kg) division.[1][7]

Rugby union

A forward, Rackley played for the Rival Rugby Football Club in Nelson.[8] At a provincial level, he played three matches for Nelson Bays in 1977, scoring four points.[8]

References
  1. "Smith's victory destined in name of suburb". Timaru Herald. 26 January 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  2. "Intermediate school presents "Oliver"". Nelson Photo News (86). 9 December 1967. p. 42. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  3. "Full school list of Nelson College, 1856–2005". Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006 (CD-ROM) (6th ed.). 2006.
  4. "Nelson boxers successful". Nelson Photo News (120). 17 October 1970. p. 52. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  5. "Successful boxing season". Nelson Photo News (133). 13 November 1971. p. 33. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  6. "This is Rackley country". Nelson Photo News (145). 11 November 1972. p. 22. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  7. "Leslie Rackley". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  8. "Leslie Frank Rackley". New Zealand Rugby History. Kerry Geertson. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
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