 Noel Cleal was born in Warialda, New South Wales, Australia.Noel Cleal along with his brother Les came to Sydney first-grade rugby league having already established a name for himself in the country.He had captain-coached the Wondai side to a country premiership in Queensland, and steered an undefeated Sawtell Panthers to a Clayton Cup and maiden premiership, then represented for New South Wales Northern Division against the touring Great Britain Lions in 1979.