Australian Rugby League Cap, 1909

Australian Rugby League Cap, 1909 1993/343

Cap This is an example of the caps awarded to members of the 1909 Australian Rugby League team. Caps have been awarded to players in international rugby sides since the 1880s. The practice was adopted to identify players on the field before teams wore matching uniforms. The now symbolic tradition is still common in many international sports. Footballer Stan Carpenter was a miner, soldier and talented Australian footballer. He wore this cap in 1909 when he represented Australia against New Zealand in Rugby League. Stan started his career in Rugby Union in 1900 and played for various Newcastle clubs. He retired from representative football in 1922 aged 43. Activism A coal miner wore this cap in 1909 when he represented Australia in Rugby League. Sport had been a luxury enjoyed by the wealthy until unions began the struggle for an eight-hour working day in the 1850s. It took a century of political activism to secure the right to leisure for all working people. Rebels The Newcastle Rebels were a rugby team that broke away from the local union competition in 1908 to play in the inaugural NSW Rugby League season. The team only played one season and started a local league in 1909. The captain of the team went on to play league for Australia and was awarded this cap.