A Star Of Two Sporting FieldsIf you were looking for the definition of “competitive”  it would certainly be personified in East Perth’s  star of the sixties ,Derek Chadwick.  Whether it be making runs on the Members wing at Perth Oval or scoring runs at the WACA , Chadwick was the epitomy of determination and was not only a favourite son of East Perth but respected and admired by footy and cricket fans alike.Chadwick hailed from Busselton and was recruited by East Perth in 1959. By today’s standards he was small (5 ft 8 or 10.12 mtrs) but what he lacked in height was more than made up for by his self-motivation to reach the top at whatever sport he played.  “Chaddy” went on to play 269 games for the Royals and 21 for WA before hanging up the boots in 1972.Chadwick was a strong player who played the game hard but fair.  If sportsmen are judged by how they perform at top level he was the top of the heap.  For most of his career one wing in the State side had his name on it.  In 1964 he won a Simpson Medal, the Channel 7 Footballer of the Year, as well as the Daily News Footballer of the Year.  He won the Royals Fairest and Best in 63 and 64. Chadwick played in the State side that was successful in the legendary Brisbane 1961 Carnival.If  Derek was admired by fans of most denominations, the same could not have been said of his relationship with the Gods…he played in seven Grand Finals for East Perth but never won one.  And to rub the salt in, the Royals were premiers in his debut season but he wasn’t in the side on Grand Final Day.  He retired halfway through the 1972 season, and you guessed it..East Perth went Premiers!Chaddy captain-coached the Royals in 1967 and 68.His cricket career was no less impressive.  He collected nine centuries as a diminutive opener for WA with a personal best of 137 at the Gabba in 1970.  But the innings he would be most remembered for was in 68/69 at the same venue when he shared in an opening partnership with the legendary Englishman Colin Milburn of 328.Although never being selected for Australia he did tour South Africa with an Australian second X1.Derek Chadwick….a star of two sporting fields.