Charles Rupert Stewart (12 January 1922 – 23 July 1997) was an Australian rules football player and coach.

Charlie Stewart
Personal information
Full name Charles Rupert Stewart
Date of birth (1922-01-12)12 January 1922
Date of death 23 July 1997(1997-07-23) (aged 75)
Playing career
Years Club Games (Goals)
1941; 1946–1951 Preston 94 (5)
Coaching career
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
1963–1964 Preston
Career highlights
  • Preston captain: 1950
  • VFA premiership coach: 1963

Playing career

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Stewart played for Preston in the Victorian Football Association between 1941 and 1951, with the years 1942–1946 interrupted by World War II.[1] Stewart captained the team in 1950.[2] He was the last pre-war player to play for Preston.[3][4]

Following the 1950 season, Stewart indicated he would retire, and possibly move into coaching.[5] In March 1951, he had applied for a clearance to Abbotsford to take up the role of captain-coach.[6] However, by July that year, Stewart was back at Preston.[2]

Coaching career

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After moving into coaching in 1960, Stewart coached Preston teams to four premierships in as many years. This included coaching premierships in three separate grades between 1961 and 1963. In 1964 he resigned as head coach after Preston were relegated to the VFA second division.[3][4][7]

Stewart coached Reservoir in the Northern Metropolitan Football League for the 1965 season and following that year became club president for the next four seasons (1966–1969). He would reprise the presidential role again for four more seasons over the next decade, in 1972, and from 1978–1980. He was granted life membership of the Reservoir Football Club for his efforts.[1]

Death

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Stewart died in July 1997 and was buried in Preston Cemetery.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b Harris, Bob; Cockerell, Robert (3 August 2022). "Known Reservoir Football Club & Reservoir Colts Football Club PLAYERS that played or coached at Reservoir either prior to or after playing with VFL/AFL, VFA Clubs at Senior, Reserves or Under 19s (Thirds) levels". Darebin Libraries. p. 27.
  2. ^ a b Welch, Bruce (25 July 1951). "Walsh likely to resume with Port". The Age. p. 21.
  3. ^ a b "Charlie Stewart". Darebin Historical Encyclopedia. Darebin Libraries. Archived from the original on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  4. ^ a b "1952". Where We Come From - a brief history of the Preston Football Club. Northern Bullants. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  5. ^ "Preston Captain, Coach Retire". The Age. No. 29, 751. Victoria, Australia. 4 September 1950. p. 14. Retrieved 16 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Sandells back in V.F.A. team". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 32, 619. Victoria, Australia. 20 March 1951. p. 14. Retrieved 16 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "New Coach at Preston". The Age. 2 November 1962. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  8. ^ "Deceased - CHARLES RUPERT STEWART (GMCT)". Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. Retrieved 17 February 2024.