Richard Keith Bolton (4 June 1943 – 13 May 2024) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer, manager, and coach who represented New Zealand.
Playing career Bolton was an Auckland representative and played in one Test match for the New Zealand national rugby league team, the second Test against Australia in 1972.BOLTON, Richard Keith - 1972 nzleague.co.nz He captained the New Zealand Māori side which won the 1975 Pacific Cup.
Coaching career After retirement Bolton turned to coaching. He coached the New Zealand Māori side to wins in the 1986 and 1988 Pacific Cups, and also coached Waikato in 1987 and 1988.1987 Lion Red Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1987. p.p.128-130Lion Red 1988 Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1988. p.p.142-145 During this time, Bolton also served on the New Zealand Māori Rugby League board between 1983 and 1984. He later served as trainer of the 1990 New Zealand Māori side.
Later years Bolton served as the manager of the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1992 and 1993 under coach Howie Tamati.
In 1994, Bolton was employed by the New Zealand Rugby League as the national development officer. In this role, he is credited with establishing the national secondary schools competition.National Secondary Schools RL nzrl.co.nz He retired from this role in 1997, but returned to the position in 2002 and also managed the Junior Kiwis in 2005.New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.182Junior Kiwis Tie Series Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League, 30 July 2005 In 2009, he was the Auckland Rugby League's deputy chairman.Memo to all clubs and affiliates aucklandleague.co.nz, 16 February 2010
Bolton died on 13 May 2024, at the age of 80.
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