The Frank Hyde Shield

Frank Hyde Shield

On Saturday, New South Wales Rugby League foundation clubs Newtown and North Sydney clashed in the NSW Cup competition for the Frank Hyde Shield. Beginning in 2016, the Shield honours the legendary Frank Hyde, who played for both clubs, as well as Balmain.

Frank Hyde was born in Millers Point in 1916, and began his career at Newtown in 1936. After two seasons with the Blues, he was forced to join Balmain under the strict residential rules that were in place at the time. Hyde won a premiership with Balmain in 1939, scoring a try in their 33-4 grand final victory over South Sydney.

Due to the outbreak of the Second World War, Hyde never had the chance to represent Australia, but he did play for New South Wales on five occasions.

In 1942, Hyde joined North Sydney. He was captain-coach of the club when they lost the 1943 final to Newtown, and retired after the game.

Frank Hyde turned to commentating, and called 33 consecutive grand finals for Sydney radio station 2SM before his retirement in 1983.

After being awarded an MBE in 1974, Hyde was also recognised for his services to rugby league with the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1990.

Frank Hyde passed away in Sydney in 2007, aged 91. He was remembered with a tribute at the half-time interval of that year’s grand final.

While North Sydney and Newtown may no longer be in the top tier of Australian rugby league, their legacy lives on as they “respect the past, build the future”. They certainly respected the legacy of the past while playing for the Frank Hyde Shield on Saturday, as Newtown ran out winners by 20-14 in a match that was only decided in the last ten minutes by a try from exciting Jets' back Kade Dykes.  It capped a stirring comeback from Newtown, who were down 8-0 at halftime, and kept them a point ahead of Penrith at the top of the ladder.