James Joseph Giltinan (1866–1950) was an Australian entrepreneur who helped to introduce the sport of rugby league football to Australia. The J. J. Giltinan Shield, which is awarded annually to the National Rugby League minor premiers, was named after him.
Giltinan (2nd row centre in suit) Pioneer Kangaroos 1908-09
Giltinan, 2nd row centre, with the NSW rugby team who played the All Golds in Sydney 1907
Giltinan middle of back four (blurred with moustache) 1908 Kangaroos
Image: J.J. Giltinan
The J.J. Giltinan Shield is an Australian rugby league trophy, awarded annually to the National Rugby League minor premiers. It was named after James J. Giltinan who was central to the founding of rugby league in Australia. Giltinan died in 1950 and the Shield was created for the following season in his honour, first introduced for the 1951 New South Wales Rugby Football League season. From 1951, the Shield was awarded to the winner of the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) Grand Final, replacing the Labor Daily Cup. In addition to the Shield, premiership winning teams received the W. D. & H. O. Wills Cup from 1960 to 1981, the Winfield Cup from 1982 to 1995, and the Optus Cup in 1996. Since 1997 the J.J. Giltinan Shield has been awarded to the competition's minor premiers.
J. J. Giltinan Shield
