Many rugby union clubs have characters like Peter “Doubles” Daley, but were they as successful as him in fundraising and developing grassroots rugby?
We know the tireless workers, often voluntary who are always at the clubhouse, tending the bar, providing a laugh and are the spirit of the club.
Daley was such a person, extraordinarily enthusiastic and devoted to his school, club and Queensland rugby.
The remarkable feature of Doubles is that he had an eye irregularity which hindered his vision and the ability to play the game he loved.
A lower-grade match in his younger years was the only opportunity to step onto the field, before finding other means to give to the game.
They say that life’s purpose is to serve humanity, taking you on the path to happiness.
I did not personally know Daley but after reading about him feel he knew what life was about and what we are here for, to do something we love doing.
Why waste your life doing something you hate?
Whereas the “star” player will attract all the media attention over a short career, Daley modestly created a career from school to then left the game in a better position than he found it.
The “chatterbox” could talk until you found an opening to exit the scene and find out what had been happening in the world for the past few hours.
I can only imagine he was one of those guys with no ego, who would talk to anyone and not be judgemental.
“He was the most loveable, genuine persistent pain in the arse that God ever put breath into,” quoted journalist Michael Blucher.
When life dealt him a blow by not being able to play the sport, he found other means to be involved in the game he loved.
Peter Daley was born in 1956 and attended St Laurance’s school where he was a touch judge at school rugby games, played in the band and kept score at cricket matches.
The turning point in his life was being instructed to raise funds for the sports committee activities as their President.
The 15-year-old Daley was inspired by the doubles tickets sold at Ballymore and cleverly printed off his version with the jersey number of the first two try scorers at St Laurance’s First XV matches.
This venture proved to be successful and he acquired permanently the nickname “Doubles”.
A career of thirty years stretched ahead of him and a remarkable raising of over $1million from around 340,000 tickets.
“They called him Doubles, but that doesn’t mean he had tickets on himself,” Blucher again.
Daley was surprised to receive a letter from the Souths Rugby Club in 1974 after leaving school, asking him to be on the club committee.
Roles followed including manager and secretary and yes, he still sold doubles tickets.
Delegation to the Queensland Rugby Union Council continued and to emphasise his persistence he became the 60th Life Member of Queensland Rugby.
Another honour was receiving the Order of Australia Medal in 2022 and incredibly he was made the youngest Life Member of Souths Rugby Club at the age of 29.
A life highlight was marrying the devoted Karen, which led his supporters to wrongly believe that marriage would halt his progress a little – or other interests would gradually replace his passion for rugby – but not so.
His wife and daughter Danielle became loyal rugby supporters too.
Karen sadly passed away ten years ago; Peter Daley passed away in 2023 after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.
His devotion led to the growth of Queensland grassroots rugby with the establishment of pathways programs for school players.
Daley’s efforts helped schools, rugby clubs and facilities to prosper.
“Doubles” Daley who was better known by his nickname than his real name, will be fondly remembered by all who knew him, for his humour, charisma and passion for rugby.
A man who knew his purpose and enjoyed life’s journey.
My thanks to K.F.T.D from the Roar for the inspiration to write this about Peter Daley.
