Jimmy Cotter

James Alfred Cotter (17 February 1959 – 5 September 1985) was a New Zealand rugby union and softball player.

Jimmy Cotter

Born	James Alfred Cotter (1959-02-17)17 February 1959
Died	5 September 1985(1985-09-05) (aged 26) Bombay Hills, New Zealand
School	Kuranui College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback Wing Centre First five-eighth Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1977–78, 1981 Wairarapa Bush 29 (59) 1985 Wellington 3 (4) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1978 Junior All Blacks 4 (20)

Early life

Cotter was educated at Kuranui College in Greytown, and was a member of the school's 1st XV rugby team in 1976.^[1]

Sporting career

Cotter represented New Zealand in two sporting codes: rugby union and softball.^[2]

Rugby union

Cotter was a Junior All Black in 1978.^[3][4] A utility back who played in all positions from first five-eighth to fullback, Cotter played 29 games for Wairarapa Bush between 1977 and 1981, and three matches for Wellington in 1985.^[3]

Softball

Cotter played 10 international games for the New Zealand men's national softball team between 1980 and 1984.^[5] A powerful batter, he has been described as "one of the greatest softballers produced by New Zealand".^[4][6]

Death and legacy

Cotter died on 5 September 1985 in a road crash on the Bombay Hills, south of Auckland.^[1][7]

Since Cotter's death, the Jimmy Cotter Memorial Trophy has been contested in representative rugby matches between Wairarapa Bush and Wellington.^[1][8] Cotter was inducted into the Softball New Zealand Hall of Fame in 1998.^[9] Another Jimmy Cotter Memorial Trophy is awarded by Softball New Zealand to the emerging player of the year.^[10]