A Foundation club of Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Football
1974
In mid 1974, Wayne Brandon and Peter Ridgewell established the Chalkees touch team. The team was the eighth team in the inaugural South Queensland Touch Football Association (SQTFA) established in March 1974. The team was pulled together from former University of Queensland Health & Physical Education colleagues and other personal friends from the mid-1960s.
None of the team had played competition sport since their school days which had finished ten years earlier. All were competent footballers at school and were keen to become involved in this new sport, which had little prospect of serious injury.
The Chalkees team of 1974 came into the SQTFA competition in the second round of the three round competition. Chalkees’ first game was on 12 May 1974. Due to starting late in the competition, Chalkees missed out playing the finals by one game, having won 10 out of 14 games played in that first season.
The first players of 1974 were: Wayne Brandon, Peter Ridgewell, Graham Williams, Rod Lees, Geoff Jensen, Paul (Jicky) Smith, David Purvis, Roger Chandler, Barry Graham.
Chalkees won many games in the second and third rounds against:
Metros 28-1 (perhaps a record score)
George St Giants 13-8
Medicos 10-5
Black Scum 8-2
Hawkes 13-8
United 14-9
Dairy Cows 6-7 lost
Third round
Metros 20-4
George St Giants 16-5
Medicos 7-9 lost
Black Scum 7-18 lost
Hawkes 12-8
United 14-12
Dairy Cows 11-8 lost
Total 175 – 104
(Dairy Cows won the grand final in August, defeating Black Scum 12-10)
1975 – Runners up
The next year, 1975, in a 12 team competition from March to September, Chalkees won 17 games, lost 3 and drew 2, finishing second to Stone Rangers. In those high scoring first years, in 1975 Chalkees scored 242 tries to 107. (Stone Rangers scored 276 to 109 – their one loss was to Chalkees. In the semi-final, Chalkees beat Dairy Cows 4-2, beat Ubiquity 4-3 in the preliminary final, but lost the grand final to Stone Rangers 9-3.
1976
With the addition of more teams, the competition was split into two divisions. Chalkees came 4th that year in the first division of 12 teams but were unable to reach the grand final (won 15, lost 6, drew 1) losing the preliminary final to Ubiquity 12-8. (In the grand final, Lorikeets defeated Ubiquity 8-6)
The first two years of the competition were all played at the Balmoral High School oval. However, after the influx of several more teams a further field was needed, and we were able to use Toowong High School grounds as well.
1977
The competition was split into three divisions, with Chalkees remaining in the 1st division. Unfortunately, Chalkees were unable to reach the final four and thus missed the finals. (Ubiquity won the grand final, defeating Lorikeets 5-3.)
1978 – Premiers
44 teams nominated, divided into three divisions of 12. Chalkees, boosted by some new players including Bob Brett, finished equal first with Flames. Chalkees soundly defeated Flames in the major semi-final. The grand-final against Dragons (to become Country Club) was close, with extra time needed to decide the result on a hot day. Chalkees triumphed, eventually winning 5-4.
1979 – Premiers
Chalkees, while coming second in the normal season to Country Club, were 1st division premiers again, defeating Country club in the grand final.
1980
From 1980, strong and younger clubs such as Eagles and Country Club dominated 1st division,
Chalkees fielded 2 men’s team, A and reserve grade, in a four division competition. Unfortunately, Chalkees were unable to win a trophy.
1981
Chalkees fielded 3 men’s team in A, reserve and B grade.
1982
Chalkees fielded 3 men’s team in A, reserve and B grade and for the first time, a Women’s side.
1984
The competition was split into six grades, A to E and seniors. Chalkees moved on to the newly created senior division as well as fielding three teams in the 2nd division, a women’s A grade side and a junior team.
1985
1985 saw the first Chalkees junior’s team fielded.
The first MTA Juniors competition was held in 1985 with the Chalkees team winning the premiership on Grand Final Day.
The members of the mixed team were:
Wendy Whittingham, Robert Stimson, Yohan Lindquist, Adam Ridgewell, Robert Lindsay, Simon Campbell, Ray Anderson, Debbie Saunders, Bridgette Small, Paige Ridgewell, and Anita Arendt.
The team was coached by Peter Ridgewell and Rod Lees.
1986
Chalkees fielded a men’s D and E grade side and a women’s A grade side.
1987
Chalkees fielded a men’s E and G grade side and a women’s B grade side.
1988 to 1990
Chalkees fielded a men’s Division 2 B grade side, two Men’s over 30 sides and a women’s A grade side.
1999 – Anniversary
In 1999 Chalkees held an anniversary dinner at the Broncos function room, Red Hill. It was a popular evening with many past players attending. Amongst the former players were Bruce Page who hosted the event and John Buchanan and Wayne Bennett who spoke as guest speakers and Rod Lees a foundation year player.
Chalkees Training
Training for Chalkees was never a serious affair, however there were periods when a Saturday afternoon game was played at Toowong High School and also for a time an optional gathering at Davies Park west End.
In general
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the Chalkees was the focal point for the social life of many of its players with Sunday BBQs at players homes. These gatherings would frequently last until late Sunday afternoon after often playing an 8am or 9am game.
Over the years Chalkees had many players who played representative touch football for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia, including:
- Peter Ridgewell
- Bob Brett
- Rod Lees
- Trevor Kennett
- Graham Williams
Championships won:
- 1978 – SQTFA 1st division Premiers
- 1979 – MTFA 1st division Premiers
Chalkees members were also involved with their parent association, including
- David Purvis SQTFA president for 2 years
- Peter Ridgewell BMTA president and vice president for 16 years
- Paige Ridgewell BMTA president for one year and secretary for 5 years
Chalkees will be remembered as one of the founding clubs and one of the great early clubs of touch football in Brisbane and Queensland.
Many of the “Chalkees” players were teachers, hence the name.
Notable players
Players who had achieved a profile in other codes of football, who then played for Chalkees. Peter Ridgewell knew many of the Chalkees players through his teaching career.
Wayne Bennett (Rugby league player and coach – Souths, Broncos, Australia)
While coaching Southern Suburbs in the Brisbane Rugby League, Wayne joined Chalkees about 1977 and played several seasons. His departure in 1987 to co-coach the Canberra Raiders Rugby League A grade side saw him no longer able to play for Chalkees.
Wayne went on to be one of Australia’s most successful rugby league coaches: the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland State of Origin and Australia rugby league teams.
At the 1999 Chalkees 25th anniversary dinner, Wayne was the guest speaker.
Richie Twist (Rugby league player – Brisbane Wests and Queensland)
Played with Chalkees and Brisbane sides for many seasons.
A journalist says, “Wests were the glamour team of the early 1970s, with players like wide-running back rower Richie Twist who became a pin-up boy of the (rugby league) competition.”
Hubie Abbott (Rugby league player – Brisbane Souths)
Chalkees player for many years. And a tough character. A grade rugby league player for Souths. Apparently, would tell his wife he was going out to buy the Sunday papers and turn up to play touch.
John Buchanan (Cricket player and coach – Queensland and Australia)
Chalkees player for many years. (started playing touch with another founding team: Medicos). As Queensland cricket coach, Queensland won their first ever Interstate (Sheffield Shield) competition.
Bob Brett (Rugby league player – North Queensland)
Chalkees player from about 1980 to 2008. And a tough character as well, even in the game of touch football! Frequent Queensland touch representative player and Australian touch player.
Ross Davies (Rugby union – Brisbane A grade)
Ross played four years of A-grade rugby union as a halfback with Easts and GPS in the Brisbane competition. He also played in France for First Division Carcasonne in the 1978/79 season and subsequently played another two years with lower-division club Haguenau, located 30kms north of Strasbourg in the Alsace region.
Terry Batch (Rugby union – Brisbane A grade and Queensland)
Terry was a University A grade rugby union player and played for Queensland as well. He still plays touch football to this day (2019).
Michael De Vere (Rugby league player – Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia)
A younger man who played one season with the Chalkees.
Peter, Paige, and Adam Ridgewell
