SA Footy

Robert Oatey was today awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the General Division, announced by the Governor General.

Robert is a member of Norwood's innaugural Hall of Fame - one of 'The Captains', and his wife Raelee and son David continue to have very active roles in and around Norwood - David is the current u17s coach and junior development manager.

Of course, the Oatey family has also been significant to the Sturt Football Club and the SANFL, and Robert's contributions here have also been highlighted in his citation.

Shown below is the (full) official statement of recognition published on the Governor-General's website.

Mr Robert Reginald OATEY, Banksia Park SA 5091
For service to Australian Rules football as a coach and as a contributor to the development of younger players.
State Coaching Manager, South Australian National Football League (SANFL), since 1995; contributor to Coaching Development courses, since 1970; wrote the Skills and Drills Section in Coaching Manual; contributor to development of modified rules for schools.
Inaugural Coach, SANFL Talent Squad, 1987-1988; Assistant Coach, 1995-1999.
Coach, SANFL Teal Cup (Under 17) Team, 1987-1988.
Coach, SANFL State Under 23 Team, 1982.
Development Manager, Sturt Football Club, 1987-1995.
Teacher and Senior Master, Pembroke Secondary School, 1973-1986; Coach, Year 10 Football Team, 1974-1986 and 2001-2006; Coach, Tennis Team, 1965-2000.
Founder, Pembroke Tennis Club, 1978; Secretary/Coach, 1978-2001.
Coach, South Australian Under 16 Reid Cup Tennis Squad, 1985-1988.
Awards/recognition include:
Australian Sports Medal, 2000.
Inducted into Hall of Fame, South Australian National Football League, 2002.

Congratulations Robert!

No mention of his commentary?

....ANd anyone who has endured one of his Level 1 Coaching courses should be awarded an OAM as well....

Any one who has endured one of his coaching courses can attest to how good he is.He told us so.

Booney wrote:Any one who has endured one of his coaching courses can attest to how good he is.He told us so.

.....and have you got your results back yet Booney?


I'm sure you will before the new millenium.

Tough crowd.

Perhaps just a little sceptical that someone earns an OAM for carrying out paid employment, topsy.

My old man wonders where his OAM for carpentry is after 40 years of building houses.

Plus, he really does talk a lot.

[quote="smac"]Perhaps just a little sceptical that someone earns an OAM for carrying out paid employment, topsy. [quote]

Fair call but a majority of recipients are paid for the work that they are recognised for.

Not for contribution to junior sports, it is usually a well deserved honour for long time volunteers.

I am not belittling Roberts contribution to footy, I just hope that next time 'hoops the trainer' or 'sprigger the club-man' or 'mavis in the canteen' get nominated for their contributions it is not knocked back.

smac wrote: I just hope that next time 'hoops the trainer' or 'sprigger the club-man' or 'mavis in the canteen' get nominated for their contributions it is not knocked back.

And as long as their surname is Oatey I'm sure they will.

MatteeG wrote:No mention of his commentary?

No mention of his role in whiteanting Merv Keane in 1988?

Barto wrote:

MatteeG wrote:No mention of his commentary?

No mention of his role in whiteanting Merv Keane in 1988?

do tell more as it's the first time i've heard his named mentioned in that context

Allegedly he once umpired a game from his car, using his horn* and blinkers.

It was raining or something - presumably he got ther boundary umps to do ball ups...

Does anyone know if that is actually true? It did the rounds for a few years at my school.

Played in a game in about 1971 and Robert Oatey coached King's College (now Pembroke) and Phil Carmen (standing out of football at the time I think, waiting for a clearance) umpired. Oatey yelled out the decisions all match and Carmen blew the whistle and payed them. One of the few times we lost to Kings.

Mmmmmmm a lot of ill informed comments here I think.
RO did a more than fair job of coaching one young Phillip Carmen I think.
Mini League was an RO project.
I had the distinct pleasure and honor of being coached by RO and never forgot a word he said.

Sorry but he is a hero of mine....particularly as a guttsy on field leader and champion footballer.....like his father he exceeded his use by date at Norwood and moved to Sturt.

SDK wrote:Sorry but he is a hero of mine....particularly as a guttsy on field leader and champion footballer.....like his father he exceeded his use by date at Norwood and moved to Sturt.

ERRGH, COUGH COUGH!
Excuse me, I think I'm choking on a hook!

'ill informed'

Jack Oatey went to West Adelaide from Norwood....

was coached by robert in a carnival in canberra playing teal cup to this day i still beieve he didnt have a clue what my name was. i was very dissapointed with him his assistant was much better in alan stewart.