The Stathis Cup

I was recently contacted John Minchin, a member of the KGP community. He was inspired by my blog about Kytherian sporting cups and did research into his one family history with sporting cups in country New South Wales.

Below is a wonderful article that has given permission for us to publish. Lets see if we can find this cup or even a photo of it for him.

The Stathis Cup

The Stathis Cup was played for by local NSW Rugby League teams in the 1920's and 1930's.

Background

Panagiotis (Peter) Stathis was born in Keramouto on the island of Kythera, Greece on 24th October 1891, son of Papa Giorgios who was a priest in Keramouto.

Peter Stathis (photo from John Minchin)

In 1909 at the age of 18, Peter migrated to Australia, arriving in Sydney on 22nd May.

He commenced working for Cominos Oyster Saloon in Pitt St Sydney. In 1910 he ventured away from the city to work for Mr G Potiri at Walcha, then to Brisbane to work for the Frigilis Brothers in Edward St, and in 1910 to Stathi Macree's Oyster Saloon in Townsville.

Between 1911 and 1919 he lived and worked with his brother Emmanouil in the Stathis Bros Refreshment Rooms in Hay, NSW, providing "Fresh Fish and Oysters twice a week."

The Stathis family in Canowindra

In 1920 Peter moved to Canowindra and operated a Fruit and Confectionery Shop or "Refreshment Rooms", firstly with a Nicholas Calocherry, then on his own.

He married Stamatina Chlentzos (aka Bylos) in 1921, and they began their family with George in 1922 and Irene two years later in 1924. They lived in rooms above the shop.

In April 1926 a fire completely destroyed the building owned by Mr T Callan that housed the Stathis shop and three others (a Tailor, Stock and Station agent, and a hairdresser), but in 1927 they were back in business operating the Garden of Roses Cafe which is still operating today. Daughter Eleni, and youngest son Peter were born in 1927 and 1929 respectively.

The Stathis Cup

Many newspaper items from the local newspapers in the Cowra and Canowindra area mention rugby league teams in the Boree Shire, playing for the Stathis Cup. Towns mentioned include Grenfell, Woodstock, Lyndhurst, Cudal, Mandurama and Canowindra. The newspaper reports date from 1925 - 1936.

It is assumed that the Cup was likely to have been donated by Peter Stathis as way of marketing his business. There is evidence that a number of other Greek businesspeople in that part of NSW also had Rugby League competitions named after them. The Stathis Cup competition may have included money to help pay for uniforms, fees or maintenance of grounds.

Rugby Historian Neil Pollock has said that 1924 to 1936 was the period that the Jack Hore Gold Cup was the main cup that came out of Canowindra. That said the Stathis Cup was played for by the top teams from the towns and seemed to be sought after.

The whereabouts of the cup, if it exists, remains a mystery. Photographs of winning teams from the time with the Cup would also be fascinating to see if they can be found.

Cup Winners 1924-1936

1924

Mandurama footballers defeated Canowindra by 6 points to 5 for the Stathis Cup. (Molong Express and Western District Advertiser Sat 2 Aug 1924)

1925

Grenfell attempted to lift the Stathis Cup from Canowindra on Sunday, but after a good game were defeated by 9 points to 2. The game was witnessed by a large crowd, including a number of Cowraites. (The Grenfell Record and Lachlan District Advertiser Thu 23 Jul 1925)

1928

....the Stathis Cup, won by Cudal last year (Leader (orange) Fri 26 Apr 1929)

1929

Canowindra are sending their first, team to Cudal on Sunday in order to lift the Stathis Cup. It is practically the same team that proved invincible to all comers last year (Molong Express and Western District Advertiser Sat 27 Apr 1929)

Next Sunday Canowindra will endeavor to retrieve the Stathis Cup.This should be a great match, as Canowindra will do their utmost to take back their cup, while Cudal is vastly improved side. (Leader (orange) Fri 26 Apr 1929)

1930

The footballers (Eugowra ) went to Canowindra in quest of the Stathis Cup and met with defeat, 11 to 3. (Molong Express and Western District Advertiser Sat 28 Jun 1930)

South Cowra were defeated at Canowindra by 5 to nil in a match for the Stathis Cup. (Cowra Free Press Tue 5 Aug 1930)

In the early game Canowindra seconds held the Stathis Cup against South Cowra by the narrow margin of 6 to 3. (Cowra Free Press Tue 12 Aug 1930)

1931

On its home ground Woodstock defeated Canowindra 10 to 5, for the Stathis Cup. The game was the roughest seen for years. (The Grenfell Record and Lachlan District Advertiser Thu 25 Jun 1931)

1936

Woodstock juniors were successful in lifting the Stathis Cup from Lyndhurst Baby Blacks, winning by 13 points to 3. (The Carcoar Chronicle Fri 4 Sep 1936)

If anyone can provide any information please contact John Minchin (johnminchin53@gmail.com))