NSFA History Corner
Rod Woods was born on the 10th of February 1938 in Gladesville. He attended Gladesville Primary School before then Drummoyne High School. After school, Rod worked at Anthony Horderns George Street City Department Store where he met his future wife Judy. Rod later joined Delux Cabs (aka Taxis Combined) and worked there for 30 years. As a child Rod played both hockey and soccer, he first began play at St George Soccer Club and then played with in Protestant Churches Competition with Gladesville Methodist Club.
When he moved to South Turramurra in 1964, Rod soon became involved with the Kissing Point Football Club when he became the Coach for the U/18 team in which his then 3-year-old son Alan Woods becoming the team mascot. This would be the start of a long relationship with Kissing Point Football Club. Rod had a storied career in the Kissing Point Football Club, being Vice President as well as a being Team Manager to multiple teams throughout his tenure at the club. Highlights of this tenure included being on the Committee that in 1967 approved the Club’s still current playing strip of red, white and blue vertical stripes. Rod was a coach for both the junior soccer teams and the U/18 teams until he helped form the Kissing Point FC’s first All-Age team in 1967 and 1968 in which he performed the Team Manager role. During his time at Kissing Point Football Club, Rod also performed the role of Editor of the Club Newsletter and was a Referee for the Association between 1967 and the early 1980s.
Rod’s dedication to his roles was notable, even going as far as picking up players from military bases so that they could play on weekends. His All-Age team placed second in 1967 and fifth in 1968. In 1968 he was also Vice President of the Junior Football programme. Rod managed Kissing Point Football Club teams throughout the 1960s and 1970’s. He also managed the undefeated NSW U12 team that won the National Championship in 1976.
Rod first joined the KDSA (later renamed to NSFA) Management Committee in 1968 as both Registrar and Recorder, positions he held until 1971. From 1972 to 1976 Rod served as Junior Vice President and in 1977 and 1978 as Grounds Controller. Rod took over the role of KDSA Secretary in 1978 and held that role until 1989, making him the longest-serving Secretary in NSFA history. During Rod’s tenure, the Association moved Under 7 to Under 11 competitions onto smaller fields with fewer players and then lobbied Football NSW to follow suit.
When Rod stepped down as Secretary after the 1989 season, he had served 22 consecutive years on the Management Committee of the KDSA, second only to inaugural president Don Allen. Rod was honoured with Life Membership in 1976, with his wife Judy also honoured for her service in 1983. During his time at the KDSA, Rod was also involved in Referee appointments for the KDFRA.
Rod began playing for Sydney St George and joined senior administration in 1979. After leaving the NSFA, Rod joined the staff of Football NSW, managing competitions and served as the Gear Steward for the Socceroos during the Eddie Thomson era. Rod was the Team Manager of the Australia U20s team that finished fourth at the FIFA World Youth Championships in Portugal in 1991 and was also the Team Manager for the Australia Joeys U17s team tour of South America in 1990. Rod managed multiple NSW teams at National Championships as well as representing amateurs on the Board of Soccer Australia. Rod served as Competition Secretary for Football NSW from 1991 till his retirement in 2000.
Rod was also honoured with Life Membership of Football NSW and in 2002 he was inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame.
Rod passed away in 2004 after a long illness. Rod’s contribution to NSFA as Secretary, Committee member, Coach, Team Manager and Referee is without equal. In this era of an Association office, staff, computers, social media and the internet in general, it is poignant to remember that Rod and Judy, with help from son Alan and daughters Amanda and Peta, ran the Association from the dining room and garage of their home in Yeramba Street in South Turramurra. We are grateful and thankful to Rod for his incredible contribution to football in the NSFA and Australia.