Billy Beetson, the 15-year-old grandson of rugby league legend Arthur Beetson, has signed a three-year contract with the Sydney Roosters. This is particularly notable as Arthur Beetson is a celebrated figure in the club’s history, having served as both captain and coach over 50 years ago.
Despite his young age, Billy has already made a name for himself in the Roosters’ junior league, demonstrating a promising talent that led the club to commit to him until the end of 2027. Currently, he is training with the Roosters’ Harold Matthews team, where he competes against older players and has been holding his own admirably.
Billy’s father, Mark Beetson, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement during an interview with Wide World of Sports. He stated, “It’s a proud day for our family,” and noted that the support for Billy will be unwavering as he chases his aspirations. Mark also highlighted how Arthur would be greatly proud of seeing his grandson don the Roosters jersey.
As a rising backrower, Billy is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who is remembered as one of the greatest forwards in rugby league history. Arthur Beetson originally came from Redcliffe before moving to Sydney in the 1960s, where he started his career with Balmain. However, it was with the Roosters that he truly excelled, leading the club to victory in consecutive grand finals in 1974 and 1975 before later coaching them successfully.
This new chapter in Billy’s sporting journey not only expands the Beetson legacy within the Roosters but also carries the hopes and dreams of a family steeped in rugby league history. The Beetson family looks forward to supporting Billy every step of the way as he embarks on this exciting endeavour.