Ross Ernest Kite (1930–2004) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s. He was a premiership winning goal-kicking, winger with the St George Dragons, made state representative appearances and played in Test matches for the Australian national side.

Ross Kite
Personal information
Full nameRoss Ernest Kite
Born(1930-10-24)24 October 1930
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died30 May 2004(2004-05-30) (aged 73)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1952–57 St George Dragons 87 49 49 0 245
1958 Wagga Wagga
1959–61 Canterbury-Bankstown 42 11 3 0 39
Total 129 60 52 0 284
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1954–58 New South Wales 14 19 0 0 57
1956–57 Australia 5 3 0 0 9
1956 NSW City 1 1 0 0 3
1958 NSW Country 1 1 0 0 3
Source: [1]

Club career

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Kite began his football career playing for Arncliffe Scots in the St. George Juniors as a centre, but it was his move to wing that initiated his playing career. He played six seasons for the St George Dragons between 1952–1957. He played in two Grand Finals during this time, losing in 1953 and winning a premiership in season 1956.

Kite moved to Wagga Wagga in 1958 for one season in Group 9 before returning to Sydney football in 1959 for Canterbury-Bankstown where he stayed until he retired at the end of the 1961 NSWRFL season.[2]


Representative career

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Kite's representative career began in 1954 when he was selected to play for New South Wales, in which he scored four tries in his debut match. He played for the Blues on eight occasions during his career in 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1958 and scored 14 tries during these appearances. In 1955 Kite made his debut at international level, when he was selected for Australian in all three Test matches against the touring French team. He made two more Test appearances in 1958 when he was selected to play against the touring English team. Ross Kite is listed on the Australian Players Register as Kangaroo No. 316.[3]

Death

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Kite died on 30 May 2004, age 73.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Ross Kite - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. ^ Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Alan Whiticker ISBN 9780732908164
  3. ^ ARL Annual Report 2005, page 54
  4. ^ Sydney Morning Herald - Death Notice- 01/07/2004