BIO

Robert Kite was born on 25 July 1938 and attended Whyalla South Primary. The family moved to Laura where he continued at Laura Primary School then moved on to Gladstone High School and finally to Adelaide Boys High School for Leaving Honours in 1955.

Bob Kite was recruited from Laura in 1955. In 1956 he was named the fairest and most brilliant player in the senior colts. During the year he was selected in a combined colts team that played against Berri and was named South Australia's best player in the match. Late in the year, Kite made his league debut against South Adelaide at home.
 
He became a league regular in 1957 playing 19 senior games. In 1958 he played 17 games and was named best team man.
 
A good ball-getter and an excellent team man, Kite had played as a centre-man for the colts, but eventually became a true utility, playing in many positions.
 
In 1961 he captained Teachers' College in the Amateur League, and was named in the centre for the State Amateur side that played against Victoria.

He was a late inclusion for the injured Peter Vivian in the 1961 Reserves Grand Final against West Torrens. His best-on-ground performance went a long way in ensuring a Norwood victory. The following week he played in the losing League Grand Final against West Adelaide.

He also played in the 1956 and 1958 Advertiser Cup Night Series wins.
 
Bob Kite was awarded a Player Five Year Certificate in 1961, and won the best all round player award in 1962.

After retiring from playing Kite worked with Doug Olds in umpiring the under eleven competition in 1969 and 1970 each Saturday morning in the Norwood District . He also contributed, along with Wally Miller and Robert Oatey, to the development of the modified rules programme for primary school children, an initiative which had its origin in Norwood's Junior Football Committee. He authored a booklet entitled ‘Modified Rules Football Umpires & Coaches Guide’ which was published by the SANFL in 1972.

In 1983 he was granted a SANFL-Caltex scholarship to spend a week in each of USA, Canada, Wales and Ireland to observe a range of body contact sports for young children and on his return produced a report with recommendations.

Kite's involvement with junior football included coaching a number of teams for the Sturt FC, Flinders Park FC and Pembroke School.

Robert Kite passed away on 31 May 1999.

R Cialini Nov 2014, H Kite February 2024