Aussie footy great dies after playing for Queensland and excelling as a coach during career that spanned more than 50 years

Queensland rugby league is in mourning following the death of decorated player, coach and administrator Darryl Van de Velde.

The 72-year-old, who was the first CEO of the now defunct South Queensland Crushers, was also a handy player in his heyday.

Van de Velde was named in the 1977 Queensland representative squad before the former star at Easts, Souths and Redcliffe in Brisbane turned his attention to coaching.

He led Redcliffe to successive premierships before moving to England, where he was responsible for Castleford, Huddersfield and Warrington.

Next was a return to the Sunshine State to help form the Men of League after his tenure in charge of the Crushers.

Van de Velde guided Redcliffe to successive premierships in Brisbane before heading to England, where he enjoyed stints at Castleford, Huddersfield and Warrington (pictured)

Van de Velde also served on the QRL board for more than a decade, where he excelled as a statewide competition director.

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher offered his condolences to Van de Velde’s family and close friends, including Broncos great Allan Langer.

“Darryl achieved many great things and was highly respected within the rugby league community,” Hatcher said.

“It can be a tough game at the best of times, so to be able to play, coach and officiate at such a high level for many years is a testament to his character and love for the game.

“His passion for rugby league, especially in Queensland, was always evident in the boardroom and during his many travels and endeavors around the state.”

English league identity Lee Crooks credited Van de Velde with ‘changing his life’ not long after signing for Castleford in the early 1990s following a difficult spell at Leeds.

Ipswich Jets chairman Steve Johnson said this News Corp Van de Velde will be remembered as a man who had an eye for top talent and his tough but fair character.

Van De Velde also had no doubt that Billy Slater would be a successful coach at Origin level for the Maroons – and he has been largely proven right.

“He knew the game so well,” Johnson said.

“He knew the basics of rugby league and was always strong in protecting the structure of the game.

“Darryl was so talented in every facet of the game. He was (also) the man who believed Billy Slater would make a good State of Origin coach, which turned out to be the correct assessment.

“Darryl wasn’t afraid to make an unpopular decision, as long as it was a fair and right decision.”