Wednesday 26 May, 2021
By Greg Danvers – media manager
The Noel Cocking Shield presented to the winner of the Newcastle Area Final in the Bill Turner Cup recognises Mr Cocking’s longtime involvement with the competition.
First contested in 1979, with 34 teams, the former Kotara High School teacher is the last active member of the original committee.
“Noel’s involvement with school football started in 1969,” explained Bill Turner School Football Incorporated Chairman Lindsay Hewison.
“Noel was asked by the President of the Kotara High School’s P and C to coach the 1969 Open team for the CHS Knockout where he continued for the next decade with some success.”
A highlight for Mr Cocking and his Kotara High team was a semi final berth in 1974 at CHS Open.
In 1979 the late Bill Turner AO, then Hunter CHS Convenor, called a meeting of all the local CHS coaches at South Cardiff Soccer Club, to discuss the setting up of a new competition for boys 15-years-and-under.
The competition became known as the Bill Turner Cup and has been active for 42 years.
Noel Cocking (front centre) pictured with Lloyd Turner, Mark Bosnich and Greg Danvers at National Finals hosted by Edgeworth Eagles in 2009.
Mr Cocking was at that meeting, appointed to the inaugural committee, a position he currently holds and coached Kotara High’s first few Bill Turner Cup teams.
“Noel has been the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Upper Hunter Area Managers at various times over the past 40 years, before becoming the Northern NSW State Manager – a position he still holds,” said Mr Hewison.
Bill Turner School Football Incorporated in 2016, awarded Life Membership to Noel Cocking, Terry Hampton and posthumously Bill Turner.
Noel Cocking with his Life Membership Award at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility in 2016.
Since Mr Turner’s passing in 2013 Mr Cocking has been an invaluable asset for Mr Hewison and Bill Turner School Football acting as a sounding board; where his advice, support and diligence has been welcomed by the executive committee and area managers alike.
The Noel Cocking Shield was struck after the 2019 AGM and it was decided by the executive to award St Pius X (Adamstown) with the inaugural Noel Cocking Shield.
St Pius X beat Newcastle High in the 2019 Newcastle Area Final – Noel Cocking Shield.
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