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Balmain Tigers mourn passing of Gary Mara
Friday 24 August 2012 6:54 PM
Balmain Tigers mourn passing of Gary Mara
Balmain Tigers Rugby League Club were saddened to hear of the passing of Gary Mara on Wednesday whilst holidaying in the US with his family.
Gary started his rugby league career in Balmain Junior League with Balmain Police Boys JRLFC before joining Birchgrove Scorpions.
A classy goal-kicking centre or winger, he represented Balmain SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams from 1977 to 1980 and was regarded as a ‘natural talent’ by Tigers’ officials.
Gary was a member of the Tigers’ 1980 Flegg Cup-winning side that featured the likes of Benny Elias, Steve Roach, Kevin Hardwick, Paul Morris, Rod Sironen and Mark Clinton.
He starred for the Tigers in their Grand Final win over Newtown at Henson Park and played a key role in the team’s big win over Northern Division to bring home the NSW U/18 Championship title.
Graded in 1981 by Balmain, Gary quickly proved to be a popular character amongst the players and the club.
He played U/23s and reserve grade before making his top grade debut in 1982 in Frank Stanton’s youthful Tigers line up as a winger. Gary was a member of Balmain’s 1982 reserve grade-winning squad and in 1983 booted two goals in the Tigers’ 6-4 semi final loss to Canterbury.
Gary joined Parramatta in 1984 – making one first grade appearance – as a centre and that same year helped the Eels win the U/23s premiership. He retired after the 1985 season.
His father Bobby Mara, one of the Tigers’ greatest-ever wingers, was inducted into the Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame.
Gary Mara
1st grade career
Balmain Tigers 1982, 1 game, 0 points.
Parramatta Eels 1984, 1 game, 3 goals, 6 points.
Friday 24 August 2012 6:54 PM
Balmain Tigers mourn passing of Gary Mara
Balmain Tigers Rugby League Club were saddened to hear of the passing of Gary Mara on Wednesday whilst holidaying in the US with his family.
Gary started his rugby league career in Balmain Junior League with Balmain Police Boys JRLFC before joining Birchgrove Scorpions.
A classy goal-kicking centre or winger, he represented Balmain SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams from 1977 to 1980 and was regarded as a ‘natural talent’ by Tigers’ officials.
Gary was a member of the Tigers’ 1980 Flegg Cup-winning side that featured the likes of Benny Elias, Steve Roach, Kevin Hardwick, Paul Morris, Rod Sironen and Mark Clinton.
He starred for the Tigers in their Grand Final win over Newtown at Henson Park and played a key role in the team’s big win over Northern Division to bring home the NSW U/18 Championship title.
Graded in 1981 by Balmain, Gary quickly proved to be a popular character amongst the players and the club.
He played U/23s and reserve grade before making his top grade debut in 1982 in Frank Stanton’s youthful Tigers line up as a winger. Gary was a member of Balmain’s 1982 reserve grade-winning squad and in 1983 booted two goals in the Tigers’ 6-4 semi final loss to Canterbury.
Gary joined Parramatta in 1984 – making one first grade appearance – as a centre and that same year helped the Eels win the U/23s premiership. He retired after the 1985 season.
His father Bobby Mara, one of the Tigers’ greatest-ever wingers, was inducted into the Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame.
Gary Mara
1st grade career
Balmain Tigers 1982, 1 game, 0 points.
Parramatta Eels 1984, 1 game, 3 goals, 6 points.
