Holman and Barnes

Keith Holman and Keith Barnes embodied the very best of the game, uniting people through their passion and skill. We honour the legacy of these two sporting greats by carrying that same spirit forward – building a partnership that celebrates them today and for generations to come.

Keith Victor Holman MBE

Keith Victor Holman, MBE (1927-2011) was an Australian Rugby League halfback who represented state and country, playing his entire club career with Western Suburbs (1948-1961). Recognised as one of the nation’s finest footballers of the 20th Century, he later coached Wests and became a top-level referee.

He was appointed MBE in 1977, made a Life Member of Western Suburbs while still playing, and received Life Membership of the NSW Rugby League in 1983. Holman was also named in both the Wests Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies Teams of the Century.

His honours include induction into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame (2003), selection as halfback in the Australian ‘Team of the 50s’ (2007), and recognition among Australia’s 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007). In 2008, during the Western Suburbs Magpies’ centenary, he was one of six inaugural Hall of Fame inductees.

Keith Barnes AM

William Keith Barnes AM (1934-2024), nicknamed “Golden Boots”, was a Welsh-born Australian Rugby League fullback for the Balmain Tigers and the Australian national team in the 1950s and 60s. He played 14 Tests between 1959-1966, captaining the side 12 times. After his playing career, Barnes coached through the 60s-80s, served as a leading administrator at Balmain, and co-commentated the Amco Cup on Network Ten alongside Ray Warren.

Renowned as a brilliant goal kicker, Barnes was regarded as one of the nation’s finest footballers of the 20th Century. He was named in both the Balmain Team of the Century and the Wests Tigers Team of the Century, with the club’s annual Kelly-Barnes Medal awarded in his honour.

His accolades include induction into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame (2007), selection in Australia’s 100 Greatest Players (1908-2007), appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (1996), and receipt of the Australian Sports Medal (2000).