Tributes are flowing for former Mount Isa rugby league legend Tom Tassell, who passed away this week aged 76.
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Tom was a highly-respected Queensland Rugby League Northern Division life member who dedicated 50 years' service to both junior and senior rugby league in North Queensland as coach, administrator, selector, and advisor and was a life member of Cairns Kangaroos and Cairns District Rugby League.
The Tassell Trophy Challenge Under 14 has been played in Tom and wife Sandy's honour each September for the past 17 years.
Before turning his attention to helping others off the field, Tom was an outstanding rugby league player who moved to Mount Isa as a paid player in 1965 from Brisbane.
He played for Blackstars and then transferred to Townies and in 1968 he played for North West Queensland against Great Britain.
In 1969, he scored the first try for Mount Isa in their 1969 Foley Shield victory - the first in Mount Isa's history.
He played for North Queensland in 1970 and 1971, lining up against the touring Great Britain team in 1971.
In 2008, Tassell was named in Mount Isa's Legends of League team.
Northern Division Manager Scott Nosworthy described Tom as a "bloody good bloke" who was admired by many.
"Tom always told it as it was, including to me, which is a rare commodity in today's society, but one I admired the most about him," Nosworthy said.
"Many of the grounds in NQ this weekend will have a minute's silence as a show of respect for a man who gave so much to our game up here.
"He will definitely be missed, but his legacy will live on through his family and his carnival."
Tom is survived by his wife Sandy and three boys, who all were born in Mount Isa and played top level rugby league - Brad, Kris and Jason.
.he funeral service for Tom Tassell will be on Friday, April 12, 2019, at 2pm at Albany Creek Memorial Park, 400 Albany Creek Road, Bridgeman Downs with a function at 4pm at Norths Devils League Club, cnr Amelia & Franklin Streets, Nundah.
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