Kerry 'Bowie' Boustead

Referee Career

Vital Statistics

Full Name
Kerry Richard Boustead
Nickname(s)
Bowie
Born
Wednesday, 12th August, 1959
Current Age
64 years and 230 days
Place Of Birth
Innisfail, Queensland, Australia

Awards & Accolades

Dally M Winger Of The Year
1983
National Rugby League Hall Of Fame
2008

Known Family Links

Brother
Ian Boustead

Biography

The younger brother of 1976 Queensland rep Ian Boustead made a stunning debut as an 18-year-old winger for Queensland against NSW in 1978. The unheralded youngster from Innisfail startled the huge crowd with his confident display, playing over his rival winger Terry Fahey and cutting down the bigger Mark Harris with a series of bootlace tackles in the third match of the series. Boustead became Australia's youngest Test player (18 years 310 days) when chosen to take on NZ that year and later toured with the Kangaroos. Boustead dazzled his opposition with pace and swerve but also versatility playing fullback, centre, five-eighth and halfback (Queensland Schoolboys) during his career. In 1979 Queensland tried to block his move to Sydney but Easts ultimately gained his services. Boustead broke his ankle in his first season in Sydney but recovered to play in the centres in the club's loss to C’bury in the 1980 grand final. That year, he played in Queensland's historic victory in the inaugural State of Origin match. After taking his place on the 1982 Kangaroo tour, he followed coach Bob Fulton to Manly. Boustead's final appearance in green and gold was against Great Britain in 1984 but leg, collarbone and shoulder injuries seriously disrupted the momentum of his career in the mid-1980s. Boustead resumed his career with Norths in 1988 and despite some good performances, it was not the 'Bowie' of old. He played for Hull KR in 1985-86 and 1986-87 before retiring at the end of the1990 season. One of the great wingers of the modern era, Boustead returned to the game as the Chief Executive of the newly promoted North Queensland North Queensland in 1995 but resigned after five competition matches when the club aligned itself with Super League. Boustead served on the NRL Judiciary Tribunal from 1997-98 and 2000.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Referee Career Statistics

All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.

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Your Say

  • Jan Dalton
    10/08/2009

    I just looked on your web site to see that Kerry is today 49 years and 364 days so it must be getting very close to his 50th birthday.

    Happy birthday Kerry - I hope that the next 50 are as outstanding as the last.

    I have had the opportunity on many occassions to meet Kerry Boustead - he was a fantastic footballer - awesome in fact.

    Yes - he was a great player but he is even greater as a humble and genuine human being. The sport that he played has been in significant strife this year. The young players could take a leaf right out of Kerry's book and the game would again be flying high

    Best wishes for your 50th - thanks for your contribution to North Queensland, Queensland, New South Wales and Australia

  • Dino
    29/01/2011

    I loved this guy as a kid following the Roosters. Today's current players could take a leaf out of Kerry's book.

  • Anonymous
    16/02/2011

    Best winger of that era. A great finisher but also a great creator of his tries and what a great defender. Could change a game in a split second with his dazzling foot work. I'm sure he broke many of his opponent's spirit!

  • Jono
    11/09/2018

    I remember being a young lad who was a roosters supporter in 1979 and lining up to get Kerrys autograph at the Royal Easter Show. Must have been 1979 when he burst onto the scene.

    There were masses of people trying to get his autograph. I was short and being crushed by people. A fantastic security guy saw me struggling and took me to the front of the queue to meet with Kerry.

    I still feel the warmth of his personality. He asked me questions and was so friendly. I was star struck.

    Needless to say I was crushed when he left the roosters. Such a great and exciting player in attack with that fleeting speed.

  • Tim Hopton
    28/10/2019

    I was at the final test in 82 at Headingley Leeds on the invincible tour. Once more the GB team had changed and even though the series was lost, pride was at stake. I was sat in the main stand watching the action unfold and I was giving out some banter to the Aussies, even though they were far superior to my team. The game was significant insofar as, if the Aussies won, then they would have remained undefeated on the tour, so in spite of my optimism and banter, I knew it would be tough. I remember clearly that as the match progressed and the Aussies put their foot on the gas in the second half, I realised I was sat amongst a lot of Australian fans. It had not occurred to me at the time, but one young lady sat next to me, was a big fan of Kerry Boustead, the classy Aussie winger, so in spite of my earlier comments and derogatory banter, I was about to be in for a big surprise. At the final whistle, the Aussies were unbeaten and understandably wanted to celebrate. The girl at the side of me, cracked open a bottle of celebratory champagne and asked me if I’d like some. I said yes of course and she poured me a glass and then tipped it over my head and said that’s for what you said about Kerry!!! She then poured me a glass to drink!!! What can you say to that, they were a great team and the lady who was sat at the side of me was an absolute star in having to listen to my biased and childish remarks (even though they were fun and not hurtful) and it has taught me to be humble and accept defeat graciously in such a wonderful sport, which is played and watched by thousands of people all over the globe. Thank you for the memories and thank you for your sportsmanship and humour, absolutely priceless.

  • James
    14/01/2024

    I respected Kerry’s opposition to Super League more than any of his rugby league achievements. I’d have him and Steve Morris as the game’s best wingers during the 1980s.

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Contributions: Greg Fiveash, Andrew Ferguson, Shawn Dollin, Paul Carter, Rugby League Tables, AJ Lucantonio, Alan Katzmann, Steven Russo, Bill Bates, Max Turner, Tim Costello

Sources: NSWRL Rugby League Yearbook 1989-90, Match Video, Newspapers, NSWRL Rugby League Yearbook 1988-89, NSWRL Rugby League Yearbook 1990-91, Irvin Saxton's Record Keepers' Club, Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1987-88