Francis “Frank” J. G. Deacy – Athlete/Builder

Inducted October 22, 2005

Francis “Frank” Deacy was the major driving force behind the development of rugby in Newfoundland and Labrador. With a passion unlike any other, his efforts in developing the game of rugby to this province have not gone unnoticed. Frank began his rugby career in Galway, Ireland and went to play as scrum-half for his school, his club, his university and his country. He came to Newfoundland 34 years ago and it was a phone call from friend Noel Browne that got him involved with rugby here in Newfoundland and together they were the founding members of the first Newfoundland and Labrador rugby team in the province which competed in the Montreal 7’s and finished 3rd in 1971 and 2nd in 1972. From that competition he and his Newfoundland squad for the first time went on to compete in the national 15 A-Side Championships. In 1974 they went on to win the Eastern Canadian title and won silver at the national event.

In 1973 Frank was teaching in Witless Bay when he received another phone call that would require him to suit up for Canada in a game against Wales which saw two other Newfoundlanders play on that team, Noel Browne and Mike Luke. In the mid 1970’s Frank was one of the founding members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Rugby Union as well as the Swilers Club. He has dedicated a great deal of time and effort to the sport of rugby as a referee and coach and has also held positions on provincial and national rugby unions. Frank founded the Baymen’s Rugby Club, and even brought women into the game. Starting women’s rugby was a big accomplishment for him but says watching players develop stands out as one of his greatest memories of the game. In 1987 Frank co-coached a junior provincial team and won silver at the national championships. Frank was also involved with the establishment of an intercity high school rugby league for both boys and girls.