Albert Broomham

Albert Broomham was one of the younger players to make the brave decision to switch codes in 1908 despite having the world at his feet in the amateur Rugby Union.

Born in 1885 in North Sydney, Broomham first made grade after relocating north to Byron Bay. He played for a side named Creamery while still a teenager. After the 1905 season he lined up for Mullumbimby and was also elected as the clubs vice-president. At the end of the 1906 season his brother Ernest joined the club, however Albert relocated to North Sydney after getting an offer to play for their Union side.

The 1907 season saw Broomham making a name for himself as a speedy winger who had a brutal fend. However at the start of 1908 he made the bold decision to switch codes and join the fledgling Rugby League movement at the young age of 22. With so many more experienced players switching codes, Broomham could well have stayed in Rugby Union and could well have become a representative player within a few years.

He played for Norths in their first ever premiership game on April 20, 1908 against eventual premiers South Sydney. He played 9 games for the side as well as being named in the Metropolis and NSW sides that faced the Queensland state side and the touring New Zealand All-Golds.

In 1909, despite Norths having a poor season, Broomham was a standout and earned a recall for Metropolis and NSW, while also making his test debut against New Zealand. He was then selected for the Kangaroos in all of the 4 controversial ‘Kangaroos v Wallabies’ games.

Broomham’s stunning form continued in 1910 as he played again for Australia, this time against the visiting Great Britain side, where he was named as the Australian player of the series. After another great year in 1911 he was selected on the second Kangaroo tour.

Upon returning home in 1912, Broomham’s brilliant performances saw him named in the NSW squad that toured New Zealand. He played in 3 tour games and a Test, scoring an impressive 7 tries.

He played in 18 tour games and in the first test of the tour, which saw the Ashes won by the visitors. When New Zealand returned to Australia in 1913, they played 4 games against NSW. Broomham played in each of those games, scoring a try in each one.

At the end of the 1914 season, Broomham retired from the game to help his father Charles and brothers Robert, William and Ernest with their tannery business.

He regularly sat on the North Sydney club’s committee, including as Vice President in the early 1930’s. In 1931 he had a young man from Mullumbimby working at the tannery by the name of Doug Deitz who played sporadically for Norths between 1932 and 1945, appearing in 79 first grade games.

Well after he retired, Broomham was still regularly spoken about as one of the game’s best wingers. The Rugby League News in 1926, Broomham’s play was suggested to be one that young players should try to replicate, his style described as “not coming into the centre of the field to beat opponents. Running down the back line, or within a few feet of it, he invariable fended off four or five tacklers, and scored tries when it seemed certain he would be forced into touch. This player used the centre kick, great pace, sure handling, and magnificent side-stepping, were a treat to witness. He could take a pass well in his finger-tips, and was always well in his stride when a pass came his way.”

In 1937 the Broomham name returned to the North Sydney club when his two nephews were playing in the North Sydney lower grades, however neither made it into the top grade.

Albert Broomham passed away in 1948.