RED & WHITE ARCHIVES: OUR FIRST PAID COACH

South Fremantle entered the 1912 season with high expectations – but also with a significant change.

Jack Leckie, the well-travelled captain-coach, stepped down, citing the increasing difficulty of balancing football with his business commitments. His departure marked the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter for the Club.

Bert Banks returned to the captaincy he previously held in 1909 and took on coaching duties as well. In doing so, he broke new ground: for the first time, South Fremantle’s coach was paid. The Club’s 1912 annual accounts include the line item “Coach… £24”. Improved financial returns had made the milestone possible.

As a player, Banks was remarkably durable—having not missed a single game over five seasons. By 1912, he was a seasoned veteran with 85 games to his name.

Another notable development that year was the recruitment of Fred Mitchell from Boulder City. Mitchell, born Frederick Nom Chong in NSW to a Chinese father and English mother, would play with South Fremantle until 1917 and is recognised as one of the first footballers of Chinese descent to establish himself in League football.

To explore more of South Fremantle’s rich history, including the establishment of female footy at Freo Oval, head HERE to purchase the club’s official history books.