Rugby league club icon dies while celebrating historic grand final victory

Just moments after a historic grand final victory, tragedy has struck a rugby league club with traumatic scenes unfolding.

Newtown celebrate the win over North Sydney. Picture Warren Gannon Photography.

Newtown Jets icon Barry Vining has died at the age of 85 as tragedy struck moments after the club’s historic NSW Cup Grand Final win on Sunday.

The longtime president of the NSWRL foundation club died moments after the team’s 28-22 win over North Sydney, which played out in front of 10,000 fans at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.

As revealed by “Rob” — a close friend of Vining — on Monday morning, the veteran rugby league administrator died at home after celebrating the club’s ninth NSWRL grand final win.

Rob told 2GB’s Ben Fordham that Vining jumped up to celebrate after the final siren, but collapsed moments later.

He was unable to be revived by family members and paramedics.

Fordham was told Vining had been watching the game with wife Vicki.

“Very, very sad news,” Rob told 2GB.

“Barry was what I would term the DNA of Newtown Jets, from the start right through. Very well-known and loved and admired for his involvement with the club.

Newtown Jets icon Barry Vining. Picture: John Appleyard.

“He loved Newtown Jets to a point of where it literally killed him. The irony is just palpable with how he left us. It’s incredible and very, very sad.

“He was so excited, he’s 85 now, he was so excited that it literally gave him a heart attack and sadly he was with his lovely wife Vicki and his family all watching at home there.

“They’ve had to work on him as much as they could, an ambulance was called and they worked on him and sadly he didn’t make it.”

Despite the tragedy, Rob said it was fitting for his friend to pass away after experiencing the joy of another grand final win.

Newtown celebrate the win over North Sydney. Picture Warren Gannon Photography.

“I don’t think he could have orchestrated it any better, if he had to go I think that would’ve been the way for Barry absolutely,” he said on 2GB.

“I know it’s a sad time when someone passes but if Barry was to go I don’t think he could have arranged it any better… he lived for that team and that club.”

Vining served as Newtown president for 32 years, beginning in 1986, just a few years after the club was eliminated from the top-flight NSWRL Premiership.

Under Vining the club survived turbulent financial positions and eventually returned as a powerhouse club in the NSW Cup.

The marquee club, founded in 1908, remains the feeder team (reserve grade) of NRL club Cronulla.

For the Bears, meanwhile, loyal fans will be forced to wait at least another 12 months for the club’s 31-year premiership drought to end.

Originally published as Rugby league club icon dies while celebrating historic grand final victory