A member of Norwood-North's dual premiership sides during the war years in 1943 and 1944, Keith Le Page believes the ten seasons he spent at the Norwood Football Club were vital foundation years, which set him up for an industrious, full and productive life.

"You had a sense of being involved in a big family group and we believed success was our divine right," he said.
"Jack Oatey was our father figure and his era at the Parade (1941-52) was one of the most successful in the clubs history.
"He was a great leader, he thought and played football like a game of chess."

After playing in the dual wartime premierships under former South Melbourne footballer Jack Smith, Le Page spent the most of the 1945 season in the Air Force, but reflects on the Wartime competition with passion.

"It served a number of purposes," Le Page explained.
" Firstly it kept football going during these hard times and it was a great form of entertainment. Grand Finals were packed to the rafters at Adelaide Oval.
"This also brought people together."

After playing his football during the War as a half forward he spent most of the year once normal competitions started again, mainly in defence, used at centre half back, on a flank or in the pocket during the remainder of the years at Norwood. He played in the 1946 and 1950 premiership, but missed out on the 1948 glory, due to a fractured hand in a mid week College match between St. Marks and St. Peter's.

Completing 103 League matches, with Medical studies becoming paramount in his life, Le Page retired in 1952, although we wasn't a part of the final Oatey game at Norwood, when the club had the huge defeat against North Adelaide in the Grand Final, he did announced his retirement at the same time as the his football mentor.

His final football match wasn't even on Australian soil, though. In March 1955, Le Page played for the London Australians against the combined Oxford and Cambridge Universities side while studying in the city. In a game played in snowy conditions, one of his opponents would go on to become prime Minister of the country, R. J. "Bob" Hawke.

During the 1960's, Le Page returned to the administration side of the club, being a selector and committeeman. Along with Howard 'Chops' Mutton, they were the instigators in the start of 'Mini League' games at half time of the SANFL matches. Originally called 'Lightning matches" for schoolboys they started in 1967 at Norwood Oval.

Le Page started his football at Prince Alfred College in 1941, and was also an accomplished rower, being involved in the annual head of the river race, twice. After a hiatus of 53 years he was coaxed back into the sport in 1997. At the 2002 Master games he collect six medals including two gold's from nine events. Another part on this refocus was the involvement of the creation of four new rowing clubs - Goolwa, Mason Lakes, Port Augusta and one in the embryonic stages on the Limestone Coast.

His profession life was full and exciting, graduating in medicine at the University of Adelaide in 1952. He also has a diploma in Psychological Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in London. Further degrees came in Glascow and Aberdeen, and he has authored a number of scientific papers. He has continued to practice Family and General Psychiarty is 1953.

Founding a primary preventative infant mental health programme, "Cintra' is another of his driving passions. This started in 1994.

Still hitting the golf ball around Royal Adelaide as well, Keith Le Page epitomizes all that is positive about being involved in the Norwood football club family.

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