Quick Facts
Biography
William "Bill" Stormont was a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country.
Playing career
Stormont played for Marist in the Auckland Rugby League competition. He represented Auckland and was first selected for the New Zealand Kiwis in 1920. Stormont was the first member of the Marist club to be selected for the Kiwis.
Military career
Stormont enlisted in the New Zealand Defence Force aged 18 using a false birthdate (25/4/1897). At the time, recruits were required to be 19 to be posted overseas. He travelled to France on 31 December 1917 but did not see action until June 1918.
Later years
He returned to play rugby league for Marist in 1920, later becoming the club captain. Stormont died from Rheumatic heart disease in 1925 aged 26. The William Stormont Memorial Shield was presented to the Auckland Rugby League by the Stormont family. That same year, Ponsonby defeated City 35-3 to become the first holder of the Stormont Shield.