01/03/2026
On Friday, Newtown Jets announced the sad and sudden passing of their club historian, Terry Williams.
We at the Tom Brock Bequest Committee were devastated to hear this news.
Not only was Terry a respected author, podcaster and curator of rugby league exhibitions, he was also a very vital member of the Tom Brock Bequest Committee. Terry was our link to rugby league's governing bodies. He helped to organise Tom Brock events such as lectures and conferences through his contacts who generously assisted us with venue hire and catering. Our events would never have been as successful and popular as they were if not for Terry's influence.
Not only that, Terry was a genuine, thoughtful and witty person and a pleasure to work with.
We will miss Terry immensely.
The Newtown Rugby League Football Club is deeply saddened to learn about the death of our long-time club historian and author, Terry Williams.
Born in Marrickville in 1963 and the son of former Bluebags lower grade player Warren Williams, Terry was raised in Ashcroft alongside his six other siblings. It was during his childhood that Terry developed his passion for sports history and the Newtown club.
A teacher by profession, Terry turned his attention towards writing in the early 1990s. His first book, ‘Out of the Blue: The History of Newtown RLFC’, was published in 1993 and quickly sold out. He was also the author of the club’s second history book, ‘Through Blue Eyes: A Pictorial History of Newtown RLFC’, which was published in the club’s centenary year, 2008.
In 1995, Terry established Sydney League News magazine, before spending more than a decade as a communications manager and historian at the New South Wales Rugby League and the Australian Rugby League. This culminated in his appointment as curator of the NRL’s museum at Moore Park.
In 2018, Terry wrote and co-produced the critically acclaimed documentary film ‘Headgear to Helmets’, which explored the contributions of rugby league identities during World War 1. He was subsequently invited by Mal Meninga to address the Kangaroos, Jillaroos, Junior Kangaroos and Men’s and Women’s ADF squads.
Among his other services to the game, Terry also served as the team manager of an Australian Prime Minister’s XIII squad during a tour of Papua New Guinea.
Terry’s contribution to our club cannot be overstated. In his role as the club historian, he played a central role in selecting our Team of the Century and contributed numerous superb articles to the club’s website. He also served as an MC at many Newtown Jets club functions.
Terry was also a great family man. He and his wife Denise had a daughter, two sons and two grandchildren.
A Newtown Jet until the very end, Terry passed away just hours after hosting our 2026 season launch.
Details of Terry’s funeral will be advised at a future date.
We send our sincere condolences to his family and many friends.
