Mick Bolewski

Michael Patrick Bolewski (/ˈbəluːski/; 1888–1974) was a pioneering Australian international representative rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s and 1910s.[1] He, along with his three brothers, Henry, Alec and Walter, became a pioneering Queensland representative player as well.

Mick Bolewski
Personal information
Full nameMichael Patrick Bolewski
Born(1888-09-19)19 September 1888
Ballina, New South Wales, Australia
Died18 May 1974(1974-05-18) (aged 85)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Rugby union
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
?
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Country Queensland
Rugby league
PositionFullback, Wing, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
190?–08 Bundaberg
1909/10–11/12 Leigh 100 3 18 0 45
Total 100 3 18 0 45
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1908–?? Queensland 7 0 0 0 0
1908–09 Australia 4 10 0 0 3
Lancashire
Source: [1]

From a Polish family,[2] Bolewski was playing rugby union in 1908 when selected to play for Country Queensland in their victory against Metropolitan Brisbane.[3] Bolewski was then included in the first Queensland rugby league team formed to play against New South Wales, travelling down to Sydney for all three of the first series of interstate rugby league matches in Australia. He was then selected to go on the 1908–09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, the first ever such tour,[4] and with teammate Bill Heidke became the first Bundaberg locals to represent Australia.[5] Bolewski played in all three matches of the first Ashes series for Australia against Great Britain. He stayed in England after the tour to play for Leigh (Heritage № 188).[6] In 1909 Bolewski started a three-season stint with the club. Also that year he played for Australia when they hosted the visiting New Zealand national rugby league team. Bolweski became the first overseas player to play 100 games for Leigh and reappeared in their A team after several seasons' break.[7]

In 2008, the centenary year of rugby league in Australia, Bolewski was named at fullback in a Bundaberg rugby league team of the century.

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. Lex Marinos. "From a Federation Game to a League of Nations" (PDF). tombrock.com.au. Tom Brock Lecture. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  3. "Historical Wallabies Player Profile". www2.rugby.com.au. Australian Rugby. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  4. "First Kangaroos rugby league squad". pickle.nine.com.au. NineMSN. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  5. Barnett, Murray (2015). For the Love of the Game. Australia: Boolarong Press. p. 240. ISBN 9781925236088. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  6. "Qld Rep Players". qrl.com.au. Queensland Rugby League. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  7. "Club History". leighcenturions.com. Leigh Centurions. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
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