Born in South Australia, where, as a youth, he played Australian rules football, Norval began his rugby league career in the Newcastle competition before moving to Sydney where he played 106 matches with the Eastern Suburbs club in the years (1934–41).
Born in South Australia, where, as a youth, he played Australian rules football, Norval began his rugby league career in the Newcastle competition before moving to Sydney where he played 106 matches with the Eastern Suburbs club in the years (1934–41).