Harry Sunderland

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Harry Sunderland (23 November 188915 January 1964) was an Australian rugby league football administrator and journalist.

Sunderland was born in Gympie, Queensland in 1889. From 1913 to 1922, Sunderland was the Queensland Rugby League's secretary. His administration is credited with the growth of the League in Queensland despite the First World War. However towards the end of his tenure with the QRL, player discontent with his administration led to the breakway formation of the Brisbane Rugby League.

After moving to Melbourne, Victoria where he unsuccessfully attempted to promote rugby league, Sunderland returned north and became an administrator of the Australian national team. He later moved to England where he became manager of the Wigan Rugby League Football Club.

Since his death in Chorlton upon Medlock, Manchester in 1964, the Harry Sunderland Medal has been awarded to the best Australian player in each home Ashes series. In addition, the Harry Sunderland Trophy is the award given to the man-of-the-match in the European Super League Grand Final.

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