The Robert Rose Cup was first struck in 2000 to commemorate Robert’s contribution to sport and more importantly to raise funds for the Robert Rose Foundation. The foundation provides support to those suffering from spinal injuries through the ParaQuad Association of Victoria.
Robert Rose was a brilliant athlete who played cricket for Victoria and football for both the Collingwood and Footscray Football Clubs. At 22 years of age and at the height of his career he became a quadriplegic in a car accident.
ParaQuad Victoria (Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of Victoria) is a not-for-profit organisation providing community based services to enable people with a disability to achieve their desired quality of life. For over forty years ParaQuad Victoria has assisted people with disabilities to regain, retain and extend their independence.
The Robert Rose Cup is supported by the TAC. In Australia there are around 350 new cases of spinal cord injury each year, with 45% of these occurring on the roads. Spinal cord injury is particularly prevalent among young men aged 15 to 35 years.
Bob Rose/Charlie Sutton Medal
This year both clubs have agreed to award a special medal, the Bob Rose/Charlie Sutton Medal named after Bob Rose and Charlie Sutton both legends of their clubs and the game.
The Medal will be awarded to the player in the match who best exemplifies the qualities that Sutton and Rose became renown for over their careers – courage, skill, leadership, and sportsmanship.
BOB ROSE
One of Collingwood’s greatest players and one of the most revered figures in the history of the game, Bob Rose was the heart of the Collingwood Football Club.
A great champion, four-time Copeland Trophy winner, star of the 1953 premiership side, long-serving coach and board member, he was tough, courageous and brilliantly skilled. Humble and proud in the good times, dignified and gracious through the bad, his strength and humility as a leader helped to make Collingwood what it is today.
In his love of his family and the way he cared for his son Robert Rose (who became a quadriplegic in a car accident), he demonstrated kindness and dignity in the harshest of circumstances and left an indelible mark on our club and on the Melbourne community.
A young boy once told Bob Rose that whenever he played football he wrote a message on his hand – Play tough, play brave, play like Bobby Rose! This has become a theme for all Collingwood players.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Playing Years - 1946-55
Guernsey Number - 22
Games - 152 day games, 15 interstate
Copeland Trophy - 1949, 51, 52, 53
Victoria - 1949-54
All Australian - 1953
Collingwood Coach - 1964-71, 1985-86
Victorian Coach - 1967
Vice President - 1963-71, 1984-1999
Australian Football Hall of Fame - 1996
Collingwood Team of the Century - 1997
CHARLIE SUTTON
Playing career:
Player honors:
Coaching record:
Media are asked to encourage supporters attending this weekends match to arrive early with bumper crowds anticipated.
