Queensland and Australian Rugby League Life Member, Kevin Brasch AM, has passed away at the age of 91, after a short battle with ill health.
A fine footballer in his day, Kevin represented Queensland Primary Schools and played his senior football for Valleys in the Brisbane competition in the 1950s, before moving to England where he starred for Huddersfield and Whitehaven.
On his return to Australia he captained a North West Queensland side against France at Mt Isa in 1964. A teacher by profession, Kevin played rugby union during his National Service with the Royal Australian Navy, and also played the 15-man game in Brisbane before switching to league.
He is best remembered as an innovative administrator at State and National levels, with the pinnacle of his career a stint as Australian Rugby League Chairman in 1997.
Brasch also managed Australia's World Cup side in New Zealand (1988) and Papua New Guinea (1991), and was co-manager of some of the great Queensland State of Origin sides in the 1980s, alongside Dick 'Tosser' Turner.
It was Brasch who came up with the idea of a Queensland tour of England in 1983, to build on the success of the Maroons at Origin level. He and Turner were co-managers on that historic three match tour, with Arthur Beetson the coach.
Kevin served as Chairman of the South East Division (Brisbane) Rugby League for 19 years, and introduced former State forward, Paul 'Fatty' Vautin to coaching in the early 1990s, with a Brisbane representative side. In 1995 Vautin guided an unheralded Queensland side to a 3-0 State of Origin series win over New South Wales.
A noted fitness trainer, Brasch also was a canny coach and was part of the State Coaching Panel with Wayne Bennett in the 1980s. Kevin also was an inaugural and active member of the ARL Development Program from 1999 until its cessation in 2012.
"Kevin was a very passionate and hard working person in our game, with a genuine interest in developing young players," Queensland Rugby League Chairman, Brian Canavan said today.
Brasch was a judge for the naming of the Queensland Team of the Century in 2008, and was foundation chairman of the QRL History Committee which was formed after the Centenary Year. He introduced the concept of an annual Lecture, which is now named after former long serving QRL Managing Director, Ross Livermore.
In addition to being a Life Member of the ARL and QRL, Brasch was a Life Member of Brisbane Norths, Queensland Primary Schools Rugby League and Eagle Junction State School Swimming Club. He had a particular affection for Norths where he was ground announced for 18 years.
Brasch had a wonderful command of the English language, and was a noted public speaker.
He formed close bonds with league and union officials in Australia, New Zealand and England, and was particularly close to the late Harry Jepson, OBE, a director of the Rugby Football League in England; as well as former Wallaby and All Black, Des Connor.
Kevin Brasch, who died in hospital in Brisbane on Thursday, October 23, is survived by his wife, Tilly and daughter, Kobe, and was pre-deceased by his son, Riley. Kevin and Tilly have two grand daughters - Madi and Darcy.
A private funeral will be held next week. There will be a memorial service the following week at Kevin's beloved Bishop Park.
