John Coolican has been elected as the new Vice President of the NSW Rugby Union

NSWRU Media Unit

Former Wallaby, Waratah and NSW selector John Coolican has been elected as the new Vice President of the NSW Rugby Union.
 
NSW Rugby
The position has been vacant since the elevation of President Peter Medway earlier this year, with Coolican elected at today's NSWRU Extraordinary General Meeting at the IBM Centre.

"I played both with and against John at club and representative level and it's a pleasure to again stand alongside him following his election as NSW Rugby Vice President," said NSWRU President, Peter Medway. "John's 30-year professional career in dentistry has been extremely successful, however his association with the sport of Rugby has stemmed far longer.

"John was an uncompromising prop who represented at the highest level, but he has also continued his association with the sport right down to the grassroots as a coach and referee of junior Rugby and his involvement continues to this day.

"I know NSW Rugby will be richer for his appointment as Vice President."

Coolican, 54, had a distinguished playing career as a prop forward which saw him earn four Wallaby caps in 1982-83, and make 28 appearances for NSW between 1977 and 1984.

He also has a share of the record for the most appearances for the Sydney Rugby Union, with his 48 caps between 1976 and 1984 equalling that of wing Laurie Monaghan.

Hailing from St Ignatius College and representing GPS 1sts and NSW 2nds, Coolican led a distinguished club career with Old Ignatians, Gordon, Vikings (Wollongong), Port Hacking and Sydney University, where he earned a University Blue and also represented Australian Universities.

After retiring in 1984, Coolican has remained active in the game as a junior coach with St Ives, Gordon and Metropolitan North Zone, has refereed at a junior level and was a NSW selector in 1995 and in the first season of Super 12 in 1996.

Coolican has worked in private practice as a dentist since 1979, and has held a variety of appointments to the Australian Dental Association, Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (NSW Branch), Australian Society of Orthodontists and the Australian Council of Dental Specialists.

JOHN EDWARD COOLICAN
Playing Career
St Ignatius College 1st XV (1970-72)
Greater Public Schools 1st XV (1971-72)
NSW Schools 2nd XV (1972)
Old Ignatians Rugby Club (1973)
Gordon Rugby Club (1974, 4th Grade Premiers)
Sydney University Rugby Club (1975-82, University Blue 1976)
Vikings Rugby Club, Wollongong (1983)
Port Hacking Rugby Club (1984)
Representative Honours
Sydney 2nd XV (1975)
Combined Australian Universities (1976)
Sydney Rugby Union (1976-82, 1984; 48 caps - equal record with Laurie Monaghan)
Combined Country (1983)
New South Wales (1977-84; 28 caps)
Australia (1982-84; 4 caps)

Coaching Career
Sydney University Colts (1991-92)
NSW Waratahs (1995-96, Selector)
St Ives Junior Rugby Club (1999-2008)
Gordon Rugby (2002-present)
Metropolitan North Zone (2007-present)