The Australian Rugby League will tomorrow pay tribute to a man and a ground that more than 100 years ago became part of Rugby League folklore.

It was July 22, 1907 when popular rugby union forward Alec “Bluey” Burdon seriously injured his shoulder while playing at Wingham’s Central Park.

Rugby League’s founders would later cite the injury as a major factor in the formation of the NSW Rugby League on August 8, 1907, as Burdon joined other working class players disgruntled with their treatment at the hands of rugby officialdom.

Burdon would go on to become one of the game’s pioneers, playing for the Kangaroos on the inaugural 1908-09 tour before later coaching Australia during the 1932 Ashes series.

The ARL will join Men of League representatives including Malcolm Reilly, Mick Stone, several Newcastle Knights players including halfback Jarrod Mullen and club CEO Steve Burraston, Greater Taree City Council Mayor Eddie Loftus and a descendent of Alec Burdon in Mary Linning – who has driven down from Brisbane for the event - to unveil a Centenary Plaque at the ground amidst Wingham’s Centenary of Rugby League celebrations.

The Plaque is one of 180 being unveiled by the ARL at historic Rugby League sites around the country.

WHAT: ARL Centenary Plaque unveiling for Central Park, Wingham
WHO: Men of League reps, Newcastle Knights reps, CRL and ARL officials, Taree City Council Mayor Eddie Loftus
WHERE: Central Park, Wingham
WHEN: Thursday July 24, 2008 – 11.30am