Gorman, Tom

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Tom Gorman

1902-

Australian rugby player

Tom Gorman was an Australian rugby player known for his skill, passion for the game, and unselfish play. With his Kangaroos touring team, he played ten consecutive Test matches with Great Britain and was the first player from Queensland to captain the Kangaroos team. After retiring from rugby, Gorman was named a Rugby League administrator. He was listed on Rugby League Week's top 100 players, and in 2002 was included in an exhibit of memorable Queensland athletes at the State Library of Queensland.

Outstanding Player

Tom Gorman played professional rugby for the Toowoomba team in Queensland, Australia in the 1920s. Holding the center three-quarter position, he was recognized for his teamwork and unselfish play. He formed a partnership with teammate E.S. Brown that was known as "the finest center pair the game has seen."

Since 1908 when the New South Wales (NSW) rugby team first played Queensland, NSW had always won. But Queensland was able to rebound between 1922 and 1928, when Tom Gorman and fellow player Duncan Thompson led a group of outstanding players for the team. During that time, Queensland won seventeen out of twenty-four games against NSW.

In another spectacular series of games, Gorman played for the Australian team in ten successive rugby Test matches against Great Britain from 1924 to 1930. Starting in 1928 and for the last seven of the ten games, Gorman was the first Queenslander to captain the Australian team. The Ashes series that played in 1929-30 pitched Gorman's Kangaroos team against England. The series went into a 4th Test to break a tie, following a draw in the 3rd Test. Although Gorman's team eventually lost 3-0, he was regarded as being one of the best players on the Australian team during the Ashes series.

In 1926, Gorman was signed by Brisbane Brothers club for 400 pounds, becoming the club's first paid player. Gorman has held representative honors in the Past Brothers Rugby League Club, also known as the Brethren or Leprechauns. He also held representative honors in the Toowoomba Clydesdales Rugby League Inc.

Still Active

Gorman continued his passion for rugby, becoming active in Rugby League affairs and signing on as administrator following his retirement as a player. He is still active in the Old Boys' organization at the St. Mary's College boys' academy.

Rugby League Week published a list of the top 100 Rugby League players in 1992 and each year thereafter adds new players. Tom Gorman was one of three new players inducted in 1996. The State Library of Queensland in 2002 erected an exhibit called 100 Not Out, celebrating a century of Queensland sporting moments and athletes. Tom Gorman is mentioned in the exhibit.

Chronology

1902	Born in Queensland, Australia
1924	Starting this year, plays 10 consecutive Test matches against Great Britain
1926	First paid player on Brisbane Brothers team
1929	First Queenslander to captain the Kangaroos team

Awards and Accomplishments

1996	Named to Rugby League Week's top 100 Rugby League players
2002	Included in State Library of Queensland's 100 Not Out exhibition of memorable Queensland athletes

Tom Gorman, the first Queenslander to captain an Australian rugby team, has been known as a genuine sportsman, as well as a role model for youth. The Oxford Companion to World Sports & Games said of Gorman, "His positional sense made him an outstanding defender, and he had inspiring qualities as a leader, especially in tight situations."