Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) Chairman Peter V’landys AM today paid tribute to one of the game’s Immortals, Norm Provan who died aged 88.
Provan, who alongside Arthur Summons was one of the game’s Gladiators, passed away last night.
“We have lost one of the genuine legends of our game. Norm was revered for his leadership and his courage as a player – but also his incredibly humble, kind and genuine nature as a person,’’ Mr V’landys said.
“He played in 10 of St George’s 11 successive grand-final victories – the last four as their captain-coach.
“Sadly, the game has now lost both of our ‘Gladiators’. But our Provan-Summons Trophy will live on as an acknowledgement of Norm and his good mate Arthur. They will be missed, but always remembered.”
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said Provan was one of the most respected figures in the game.
“Norm was a wonderful player and role model. He set high standards for himself and those around him, evidenced by his remarkable achievements,’’ he said.
“Norm played 256 Premiership matches for St George through the 1950s and 1960s, represented Australia on 31 occasions, and was deservedly named in the Australian Rugby League Team of the Century in 2008.
“As an Immortal, Norm’s contribution to the Game will live on forever. Today we mourn the passing of a Rugby League legend.”