Rudi Alagich
Rudi Alagich is credited with launching soccer in Broken Hill. He helped to form the Broken Hill Soccer Association, organised the first international soccer team visit to Broken Hill and, in 2000, received an Australian Sporting Achievement Medal. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2000.
In 1924 Rudi’s father Josip left his home and family in Makarska Dalmatia, Yugoslavia, to migrate to Australia and take a job in the mines in Broken Hill. In 1932, aged 12, Rudi and his two brothers Marin and Slavko followed their father to Broken Hill, and the family was reunited. Rudi attended Alma School where he excelled in sports and was made school captain. He later moved to Central School.
In 1936 Rudi commenced an apprenticeship as a tailor. The same year he became chairman of the Napredak Youth Soccer Club and then President of the Napredak Club. He was President of the club until 1945. In between, in 1942, he enlisted in the army but was soon injured in an air raid in Darwin and was was medically discharged from active service. Rudi returned home to Broken Hill and, in 1943, married Millie Ravlich. In 1950 he opened his own business as a tailor, which remained his lifelong profession alongside his passion and natural talent for soccer, which he introduced to Broken Hill.
The Alagich family have made significant contributions to football for three generations: in administration, coaching and playing. Marin and Slavko, Rudi’s brothers, were also involved in forming football clubs: in Broken Hill, Adelaide and Sydney. Now another generation has stepped up, including Rudi’s son Richard who later took up coaching and became the author of several books on the subject.
Rudi Alagich helped to form the Broken Hill Soccer Association and was instrumental in starting the Broken Hill Youth League, High School Soccer Competition, Primary School Soccer and the Broken Hill Ladies Soccer Competition.
In 1949, Rudi Alagich’s administrative talents led to the international soccer team visit to Broken Hill – a first! A life of community service and excellence followed, acknowledged by several awards and medals, including: the Meritorious Service Award, Australian Sports Medal, Life Membership Broken Hill Soccer Association and Life Member South Soccer Club Broken Hill.
In 1991 he was also presented with a medal from the Yugoslav Government for his work with the Slav community. In 2000 Rudi and his son Richard received an Australian Sporting Achievement Medal, and he was included in the Australia Day honours in the same year.
Rudi died in Broken Hill in 2015 and was given a civic funeral, such was the community’s respect for a man that had dedicated over 60 years to soccer.
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