- Barry Vining, 85, died immediately after last Sunday’s grand final
- He was one of the most important names of the famous Australian club.
The family of rugby league icon Barry Vining have revealed he died a very happy man while watching his beloved team win the grand final, saying he suffered a “heart attack with joy”.
The 85-year-old, who was president of the Newtown Jets for 32 years and was instrumental in their successful fight to stay alive, died last Sunday moments after his team beat the North Sydney Bears to win the decider of the NSW Cup.
Now his daughter Jamie has spoken about his final moments as his family prepares to celebrate his life at a Jets ceremony next Tuesday.
‘Many stories this week have said that Newtown killed him. The Jets didn’t kill him. People can have heart attacks from joy,” he told Sydney Morning Herald.
Vining’s daughter said she told the family earlier this year she wanted to see her team win a final premiership to add to their 2019 NRL State Championship title.
“We keep repeating that comment in our heads,” he said.
“The fact that I saw them win is the positive side.
“We were all wearing Newtown t-shirts on Sunday. Two of his daughters were there. His grandchildren were there.
Barry Vining (pictured) died surrounded by his family after watching his beloved Newtown Jets win the NSW Cup grand final last Sunday.
The club’s veteran president (pictured) told his family he wanted to see the team win one last premiership before he passed away.
‘He stood up full time, he was very excited. Then he started to go to the bathroom and leaned over.
“I told Mom, ‘I don’t think Dad’s okay.'” She said he was having trouble breathing.
Vining’s widow, Viki, added that she saw he was in trouble right after the family “jumped up screaming” in victory.
He was lying on the living room floor with his hand on his heart when he said his last words: “My chest hurts.”
Vining is often credited with keeping the Jets, formerly known as the Bluebags, from disappearing.
They were expelled from the NSWRL first grade competition in 1983 due to financial difficulties.
During the wild years of 1984 to 1990, the club struggled to survive without fielding a team of any grade.
Their resilience paid off with a return to competitive play in the NSWRL Metropolitan Cup and subsequent promotion to the NSW Cup.
Pictured: Newtown celebrate their grand final victory over North Sydney last Sunday
Vining (pictured left with rugby league immortal John Raper) will be sacked by the Jets next Tuesday.
Tributes from longtime Jets fans began pouring in immediately after the sad news broke.
‘I have just heard the sad news of the passing of Barry Vining, a great supporter of the Newtown Jets. He was president of our club and was part of the reason we were able to keep the club going after 1983. RIP,” one follower posted.
‘Very sad news, a true Bluebag legend. RIP,” another fan added.
“My condolences, RIP Barry, you were the most important person in the survival and resurgence of the Jets,” lamented another.
