Alex Bolewski Explained

Alex Bolewski
Fullname:Alexander Bolewski
Birth Date:19 August 1891
Birth Place:Ballina, New South Wales, Australia
Death Place:Undercliffe, New South Wales, Australia
Retired:yes
Club1:Glebe
Year1start:1915
Year1end:19
Appearances1:59
Tries1:13
Goals1:91
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:221
Club2:Newtown
Year2start:1920
Year2end:24
Appearances2:60
Tries2:6
Goals2:36
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:90
Teama:New South Wales
Yearastart:1919
Appearancesa:1
Triesa:0
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:0
Source:[1]

Alexander Bolewski (; 19 August 1891 – 16 July 1981) was a pioneer Australian rugby league player who played in the 1910s and 1920s.

Background

Bolewski was born at Rous Mill, near Ballina, New South Wales on 19 August 1891. He was the brother of Walter Bolewski, Mick Bolewski, and his Glebe and Newtown teammate Henry Bolewski.

Playing career

Alex (or Alec) Bolewski played for the Glebe Dirty Reds for four seasons between 1914 and 1919, although he missed the 1917 and 1918 seasons due to active service in World War I.

He enlisted in the AIF in 1916, and joined the 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance, 27th reinforcements. His unit was sent to Europe in 1917, and, while surviving the war, he did not return to Australia until April 1919, although he resumed his rugby league career soon afterward, playing 13 games that season.

In 1920 he moved to Newtown and he played five seasons there between 1920 and 1924, often as captain.[2]

Bolewski represented the Metropolis (Sydney) team in 1915, and represented New South Wales on one occasion in 1919.[3]

One of the rugby leagues great characters and pioneers, Alex Bolewski died at Undercliffe, New South Wales on 16 July 1981, aged 89.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alec Bolewski - Playing Career. Rugby League Project.
  2. Terry Williams: Through Blue Eyes, A pictorial History of Newtown RLFC. 2008
  3. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995
  4. Sydney Morning Herald: Death Notice 19/7/1981