RugbyWA and Cottesloe Rugby Club legend Adrian Blacker has passed away at 5:00am on October 14 2020. Adrian was born in Blackall Queensland in 1946.
Blacker joined the army at a tender age and eventually ended up in the Special Air Service (SAS) where he served with great distinction both on active operations and in training roles.
Adrian specialised in water and airborne ops and completed two tours of duty in Vietnam being awarded the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star in 1971 on his second tour.
Adrian stayed on in Perth after discharge from the SAS as a Warrant Officer. He played rugby league with Mosman-Cottesloe before coming across to Cottesloe Rugby Union Football club.
Although he never played rugby with Cottesloe, he filled many roles at the Club in various Committee positions, house manager, barman, cleaner, cook, gardener, fitness trainer, life coach and many other roles for many years.
He always made time for everyone, particularly mentoring the younger players also introducing new training programs such as boxing and also introduced Olympian Relay runner Renee Poetska, as the sprint trainer, to the club.
Blacker also organised mess dinners at the SAS Regiment for the Colts teams where they dined with young SAS Troopers exchanging ideas on how each dealt with their own particular problems.
Adrian also organised the legendary Legacy Long Weekend camps at Busselton where each year a 20 km section of the Cape to Cape track was walked through rain, hail or shine through forest, beach, cliffs and scrub followed by a campfire meal with plenty of drinking and singing. Invitations were much sought after.
He was made a CRUFC Life Member in 2005 for the many services rendered to the Club over a long period of time.
He joined the Western Force, when it was formed, as Kit Manager and eventually became Assistant Team Manager making many, many lifelong friends, again particularly with the younger players.
His ability to ensure that the many gear requirements were readily available well before time either for training or on match days, whether at home or overseas, set a very high standard. His military training made him invaluable in this role.
The many years he put in were all done on a voluntary basis for which he received a Life Membership from RugbyWA.
His many sayings (Blackerisms) are legendary and have become famous in the rugby world.
Right up to the end he was very interested in the Club and was very happy with the boy’s efforts on Grand Final Day.
His quiet, calm demeanour, ‘can do’ attitude and sense of humour have left a legacy shared by many Cottesloe members and players.
The Cottesloe and the WA Rugby community has certainly lost a true-blue member who will be greatly missed.
RugbyWA, Cottesloe Rugby Club and the entire RugbyWA and Western Force Community send their condolences to the Blacker family.
Credit – Sam Diamond, Cottesloe Rugby Club President
Adrian Blacker's funeral service will be at Cottesloe Rugby Club at 10:30am AWST Wednesday, 20th October.
For those that cannot make it, the service will be able to be streamed on the following link here
