Stan Hayles

Stan played his early junior football at Curramulka before attending Rostrevor College. Stan played a number of years of college football and in his final year in 1952, he was placed third in the Gosse Medal. The Gosse Medal was awarded to the best and fairest footballer in the College football competition.

Stan played for Norwood Senior Colts in 1953 and 1954. On his arrival at the Parade in 1953, he played in a senior trial and greatly impressed the media. The Sunday Mail quoted, ‘Hayles, 16 from Curramulka played like a veteran and at times showed up some of the older players’. The News stated that the rover from Curramulka was prominent.

Stan returned to play for Curramulka when he left college and would go on to play in eight of their premierships, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963 (Captain Coach) and 1964. Stan represented the Yorke Peninsula Zone in the Caltex Shield Carnival in 1960 and 1961, and in 1962 was named captain. Yorke Peninsula thrashed the strong Spencer Gulf league in the final, 26-10 to 16-9, Stan was a star for Yorke Peninsula kicking ten goals.

From 1960 to 1962, the Yorke Peninsula team were undefeated in zone matches. Stan represented the Southern Yorke Peninsula interleague team from 1957 through to 1962 and from 1963 to 1966 as captain. Stan finished third in the Mail Medal in 1960 and 1962.

An allround sportsman Stan was also an accomplished cricketer for Curramulka representing them at SACA cricket carnival’s from 1955 to 1960. In 1956, Stan toured England, Germany and Holland with the South Australian Touring Cricket Team. He played district cricket for the Prospect Cricket Club for two seasons and was a part of their 1960-61 premiership team. Stan was awarded life membership of the Northern Yorke Peninsula Cricket Association and South Australian Seniors Cricket Association.