Narrabri resident Nola McNamara has been doing some reminiscing of late.
Looking back over the years, it is clear the McNamara family has made a huge contribution to sport in Narrabri and the north west district.
The family have been recognised for their dedication in both sporting and administration roles by receiving life membership awards in the major fields of bowls, cricket, golf, rugby league, tennis and racing.
Nola’s brother John was a proud recipient of the Queen’s Birthday Honours Order of Australia Medal for his involvement in cricket and tennis.
But it didn’t start there. Siblings John (dec), Maurice (dec), Nola and Barbara have followed the legacy of their parents’ achievements long before this.
Their father, the late Patrick (John) McNamara, was a Narrabri Rugby League life member, rugby league referee, Narrabri Jockey Club president, Narrabri Bowling Club Singles Champion and the first bowling coach for the club, with the No. 2 green named the ‘John McNamara Green’ for his outstanding service to the club.
Veronica McNamara (dec) was awarded Narrabri Jockey Club life membership for her contribution to the racing industry. Pictured here with the horse which won a historical Narrabri Race Cup meeting.
Their mother, the late Veronica McNamara was awarded Narrabri Jockey Club life membership for her contribution to the racing industry.
In later years, Nola’s brother John, a first-grade cricketer and skilful tennis player, made substantial footprints in the worlds of cricket and tennis.
John McNamara was made a life member in no less than three divisions in cricket, the Narrabri District Cricket Association, the Northwest Cricket Council, and the NSW Country Cricket Association.
Following his contribution to the Narrabri District Cricket Association in the roles of secretary and treasurer, John served a huge term as president of the association from 1969-1990.
Further afield, John was president of the Northwest Cricket Council for five years and secretary for 15 years previously.
During this time, he was manager of the Emu cricket tours of New Zealand in 1976 and Tasmania in 1979.
The Northwest Cricket Council Cup was named in John’s honour.
In 1990, sightscreens were relocated from the Sydney Cricket Ground and installed at the No. 1 Oval in Narrabri, and these were also named in John’s honour to acknowledge his years of dedication to Narrabri District Cricket Association.
John was also heavily involved in tennis.
Serving roles as president, secretary, and treasurer of the Narrabri District Tennis Club for over 30 years, John was later awarded life member of the Narrabri & District Tennis Association.
He won the Narrabri District Tennis Singles Champion trophy no less than six times.
Conducting the role of tournament secretary of the Nandewar Tennis Championships, John took home the Nandewar Singles Champion title in 1952 and represented Narrabri at Tennis NSW Country Week on five separate occasions.
Brother Maurice firmly made his stamp in the field of bowls.
Maurice McNamara (dec) was made a life member of the Narrabri Bowling Club and the Northwest Bowling Association and won the NSW government sports medal for outstanding service to bowls.
A life member of the Narrabri Bowling Club and the Northwest Bowling Association, he was awarded the NSW government Sports Medal for outstanding service to bowls.
Maurice also served terms as Narrabri Rugby League secretary and was a keen and committed committee member.
Sister Nola played A-grade tennis and held the position of president of the Narrabri Lady Bowlers from 2018-2022.
Her contributions to the Narrabri Golf Club, however, are standouts in a long history of sporting achievements.
A life member of Narrabri Golf Club, Nola has served terms as president, secretary, captain, and treasurer of the ladies committee throughout more than 40 years of membership.
She has taken home the Northwest District Golf Association Ladies Closed Singles Championship, represented Narrabri at many north-western district golf tournaments, and has won the
Narrabri Singles Championship no less than six times, with many other partnered championship titles to her name.
Nola has conducted the role of director of the NSW Annual Veteran Male Week of Golf on six occasions.
The various sports involvements of the McNamara family have contributed to several major decisions regarding the development of sport in Narrabri over the past few decades.
This began when Patrick (John) was one of the trustees involved in the decisions and workforce behind the relocation of the Narrabri golf course from the Narrabri racecourse to its present site in Gibbons Street.
Patrick (John) McNamara (dec) was Narrabri Bowling Club singles champion and the first bowling coach for the club, with the No. 2 green named the ‘John McNamara Green’ for his outstanding service to the club.
In later years his son John held the position of secretary of the Nandewar Tennis Tournament which was held annually over the October long weekend and sponsored by major sporting companies Slazenger and Dunlop.
The event attracted many visitors and some of the city’s top players to compete in Narrabri.
John was the singles champion of this tournament in 1952, and the following year the championship title was taken home by the great Australian player Lew Hoad.
The Nandewar Tennis Tournament was a massive event for Narrabri, attracting players and spectators state-wide and was played on the Barwan Street courts and also on offered privately owned courts.
John was additionally involved in the development of the new Dangar Park complex, which is today the home of Narrabri & District Tennis Association.
He served as president during this time and played a significant role in the development of the building and grounds.
Another major decision in the sports arena took place when in 2005 Nola applied to the NSW Male Veterans Golf Association with a request to include Narrabri in the northern circuit, which stretches from the Hunter region to Tamworth and Moree.
Brian Worley (dec) accepting the Col Cameron Shield from Cricket President John McNamara (dec). John served a huge term as president of the Narrabri District Cricket Association from 1969-1990.
