FORMER chairman of the Country Rugby League and president of Group Three Rugby League, Warren Kimberley of Taree has died.
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Mr Kimberley was 81.
He spent a lifetime in rugby league. He played 166 games with Wauchope in under 18s, reserve grade and first grade during the 1950s and '60s. Mr Kimberley also coached Wauchope before becoming involved in administration at club level while he was still an active player.
He then moved into executive positions with Group Three, North Coast Division and the Country Rugby League. He was a long-term treasurer of Group Three before taking on the president's position following the retirement of Jack Neal.
Mr Kimberley served for many years as senior vice president of the Country Rugby League before assuming the role as chairman, a position he held for nine years from 1999 to 2008. He also held a senior role with a NSWRL finance committee.
He later returned to the Group Three board of management. In 2013 he was one of the four inaugural inductees into the Group Three Hall of Fame.
Mr Kimberley was a life member of Wauchope Rugby League Club, Group Three Rugby League, North Coast Division, the Country Rugby League and NSWRL.
Mr Kimberley was partner in a trucking business for many years, initially in Wauchope before relocating to Cundletown.
Former Group Three chief executive Barrie Smith worked and played football with Mr Kimberley and was also involved with Group Three administrations with him.
He described Mr Kimberley as a 'top shelf' administrator' who always attempted to resolve problems by negotiation.
"Warren had the ability to work with clubs to resolve issues amicably,'' Mr Smith said.
"He certainly wasn't a dictator. I learnt plenty from him.''
Mr Kimberley is survived by wife Pat and daughter Jenny. He was predeceased by son Stephen.
