Barry Harris (rugby league)

Barry Harris

Personal information
Full name	Barry John Harris
Born	(1938-05-09)9 May 1938 Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Died	1 February 2006(2006-02-01) (aged 67) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position	Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1957–60 Newtown 65 7 0 0 21 1963–64 South Sydney 8 0 0 0 0 1967 Penrith 15 0 0 0 0 Total 88 7 0 0 21 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1959–62 New South Wales 5 0 0 0 0 1961–62 NSW Country 2 1 0 0 3
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% 1975–76 Penrith Panthers 28 9 2 17 32
Source:

Barry Harris (1938-2006) was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach who played for Newtown, South Sydney and the Penrith Panthers. Harris was a foundation player for Penrith and played in the club's first season.

Playing career

Harris was a Newtown junior and made his first grade debut for the club in 1957. In 1959, Newtown qualified for the finals and Harris played in the starting side against Manly which ended in a 17-0 defeat. In the same year, Harris was also selected to play for New South Wales against Queensland in the interstate series. Harris left Newtown at the end of 1960 and moved out to Dubbo playing in the local country competition.

While playing out at Dubbo, Harris was selected to play for NSW Country on 2 occasions and was chosen to represent New South Wales. In 1963, Harris moved back to Sydney and joined Souths. Harris spent three unsuccessful seasons at the club before joining newly admitted Penrith in 1967. Harris played in the club's first ever game against Canterbury and made 15 appearances in their debut season as they finished second last. Harris retired at the end of 1967 as a player.

Coaching career

In 1975, Harris became the first grade coach at Penrith and spent two years in the top job. Harris had an unsuccessful coaching spell with Penrith finishing towards the bottom of the ladder and he was sacked at the end of 1976. He was later replaced by Don Parish.