VALE NORM 'NOBBY' OSBORNE
Vale Norm “Nobby“ Osborne
One of Norths Rugby’s all time great characters and Life Member Norm 'Nobby' Osborne sadly passed away peacefully on Saturday 6th April after a battle with cancer.
Nobby attended North Sydney Tech and played halfback in the 1st XV possessing a long and accurate pass.
He excelled at all ball sports and played 1st Grade cricket for Mosman at the age of 16 and 1st Grade hockey at the same age.
After leaving school he joined Mosman Rugby and was selected in NSW Under 21’s side to tour NZ.
He joined Norths in 1968 playing 181 grade games including 9 in First Grade before he started coaching in 1980.
He then coached all grades from 1st Grade to 4th Grade from 1980 to 1994.
In 1994 he was elected as a Life Member.
He was captain of 2 Premiership sides as a player, 3 Premierships as a coach and 1 Premiership as a manager.
He was manager of his beloved 4th Grade until 2021.
He had a great rugby knowledge and was able to communicate with players and coaches at all levels, usually over a schooner or two.
Nobby was a devoted husband , father and grandfather.
He leaves Kerrie, his devoted wife of 49 years, daughter Jodie, sons Nathan and Reegan and their families including 3 grandchildren Evie, Hendrix and Bodhi.
Nobby was a truly great bloke and loved Norths Rugby as his devotion to the Club shows.
Further details of Nobby’s service and tribute will be communicated through the club’s social channels.
Nobby will be sadly missed by all that were touched by him.
Thank you to Ash Hall, Neil Whitaker and Grahame O'Donnell for your assistance and kind words.
Norman William Osborne
1968
2nd Grade - 5
3rd Grade - 2
4th Grade - 5
Season Total 12
"Straight from junior ranks and graded in the team and regular member, N. Osborne" R. Thompson, 2nd Grade Coach
1969
1st Grade - 1
2nd Grade - 3
4th Grade - 4
Season Total 8
1970
1st Grade - 2
2nd Grade - 3
3rd Grade - 4
4th Grade - 5
Season Total 14
"Norm Osborne whom appeared in First Grade during the Season, I feel is deserving of mention for the grit and Club spirit which he displayed in turning out when severely restricted by injuries which would undoubtedly have kept lesser players from the field." B. J. Forbes 3rd Grade Coach
1971
1st Grade - 5
2nd Grade - 8
3rd Grade - 9
Season Total 22
"Norm Osborne at half-back is something of an enigma in that he appears to be still improving at the comparatively advanced age of 26 and he in fact had his best season with Norths, proving himself something of an iron man despite his apparently fragile frame. One senses he suffers a little from lack of confidence in his own ability but as stated previously I consider he is still improving." B. J. Forbes 3rd Grade Coach
1972
4th Grade - 8
Season Total 8
1973
4th Grade - 4
5th Grade - 9
Season Total 13
5th Grade Best & Fairest
1974
3rd Grade - 1
4th Grade - 6
5th Grade - 2
Season Total 7
1975
3rd Grade - 8
4th Grade - 8
Season Total 16
1976
1st Grade - 1
2nd Grade - 3
3rd Grade - 7
4th Grade - 6
Season Total 17
Inducted into Club 100
"Norm Osborne, by not saying a word to the referee, commenced a string of very good performances at halfback."Barry Hibbard, 3rd Grade Coach
1977
2nd Grade - 2
3rd Grade - 5
4th Grade - 11
Season Toal 17
4th Grade Premiers
"It is doubtful we would have been pre-comp favourites of the betting charts, but to the 15 players who ran on to the SCG for the Grand Final - you did the Club proud. It would be remiss not to mention Norm Osborne's drive and inspiration as team Captain." Paul Chisholm, 4th Grade Coach
1978
2nd Grade - 4
3rd Grade - 9
4th Grade - 3
Season Total 16
1979
3rd Grade - 8
4th Grade - 6
Season Total 14
1980
4th Grade - 1
Season Total 1
Coach of 4th Grade
Played 20 - Won 12 Drew 2 Loss 6 with 244 For 142 Ag, Position 4th
1981
4th Grade - 6
Season Total 6
1982
4th Grade - 8
Season Total 8
"To the older players who helped fill the ranks, Nobby 'Crewcut' Osborne... many thanks." Paul Grace, 4th Grade Coach
1983
4th Grade - 2
Season Total 2
Coach of 4th Grade - Grand Finalists
1984
Coach of 3rd Grade
1986
Coach of 3rd Grade - Premiers (10 - 0 vs. Hornsby)
Played 19 - Won 14 Loss 5 with 322 For 72 Ag, Position 1st
1987
Coach of 2nd Grade - Grand Finalists
1988
Coach of 1st Grade - Grand Finalists
1989
Coach of 2nd Grade - Grand Finalists
1991
Coach of 4th Grade
Played 23 - Won 15 Loss 8 Minor Semi
1992
Coach of 3rd Grade
Played 22 - Won 12 Loss 10
1993
Coach of 4th Grade - Grand Finalists
Played 25 - Won 18 Drew 1 Loss 6
1994
Coach of 4th Grade - Premiers
Played 24 - 536 For 191 Ag, Position 1st
Elected Life Member
2008 to 2018
4th Grade Manager
2012 4th Grade Premiers
Summary
16 Seasons of Grade Rugby for Norths
181 Grade Games
9 1st Grade Caps
1 Premiership as Captain in 4th Grade
1 Premiership as Coach of 3rd Grade
1 Premiership as Coach of 4th Grade
1 Premiership as Manager of 4th Grade
Played and Coached every Grade
