Vale Martin Hurst

The North Queensland rugby league community has paid tribute to long-serving administrator Martin Hurst.

Hurst is well known for his fierce honesty and passion for all things rugby league, traits that he carried during his tenure as the Cairns District Rugby League treasurer.

Hurst, who passed away last week at the age of 69, served in that role for 21 years and was also an avid league historian and author.

Queensland Rugby League Northern Region manager Scott Nosworthy said Hurst had made a significant contribution to the game.

“We all know how much time and effort Martin gave to the CDRL and the game and I know how much he will be missed,” Nosworthy said.

“Martin always told it as it was and I for one really appreciated his honesty and truthfulness on all things rugby league.”

Hurst, who became a life member of the CDRL in 2008, first became involved with rugby league in the region with the Brothers club, before venturing south where he held committee positions with Toowoomba All Whites and Brisbane Easts.

But it wasn’t long before he was back supporting the far north’s best local league competition in a volunteer capacity, and when the treasurer’s role popped up in 1999, the CDRL had their man.

Hurt’s funeral service will be held on Friday, July 31, at 10am.

Please note the service is by invitation, however it will be livestreamed.

The CDRL will also pay its respects to Hurst with one-minute silence at the first round of the Lightning Challenge on August 8 at Barlow Park.

Hero photo: Martin Hurst with Pat Bailey, courtesy of Cairns Post.