The Parramatta Eels join with many others in our local community in remembering Parramatta Eels and Parramatta Leagues Club Life Member Chris Jurd whose funeral will take place today.
Chris was one of only a select number of people to hold Life Memberships of both the Leagues Club and Football Club.
As a lifelong Eels supporter, Chris started his long association with rugby league as secretary of the Parramatta Marist Junior Rugby League in the late 1960’s. Being a prominent local solicitor, Chris volunteered his skills and training through his role as Chairman of the Parramatta District Rugby League Appeals Committee and by providing legal advice to the Parramatta Junior League, Parramatta Referees’ Association and the Parramatta Convents’ Association.
For well over a decade, Chris represented players pro bono at judiciary hearings from Harold Mathews Cup right through to NRL and became a director of the Parramatta Eels Football Club in 2004 through to 2009.
Chris’ contribution to the Club over multiple decades saw his successful nomination for life Membership of both Club’s in 2018 and at the recent Leagues Club AGM in 2020.
He will be sorely missed and the Football Club will honor his contribution formally at our next home game against Canberra in Round 19.
Chris is survived by his mother Rona, seven siblings, wife Margaret, his daughter Anita and five grandchildren and on behalf of everyone at the Parramatta Eels our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends today.