Norm Provan Wiki
Norm Provan Biography
Who was Norm Provan ?
The NRL mourns the death of rugby league immortal Norm Provan.
The legend of St George Dragons died Wednesday night, aged 88, after a battle with dementia.
Norman “Sticks” Douglas Somerville Provan was an Australian professional rugby league footballer and coach. He was a second-row forward with the St. George Dragons during the first ten of their eleven consecutive premiership-winning years, from 1956 to 1966. Wikipedia
Born in the NSW Riverina region, the second rower known as the ‘Sticks’ played 256 games for the Dragons between 1951 and 1965 and won 10 prime minister titles during the club’s heyday from 1956 to 1966.
He represented Australia 14 times and is considered one of the best players of the 20th century.
How old was Norm Provan ?
He was 88 year old.December 18, 1932, Urana, Australia
Death
Provan appears in one of the most iconic images in the game, hugging Arthur Summons in the mud at the SCG after the 1963 grand finale.
The famous image was immortalized on a bronze statue that has been the centerpiece of the Prime Minister’s trophy for the past four decades.
Provan retired in 1965 and later coached the Dragons, Parramatta Eels and Cronulla Sharks.
He remains the fourth player for St George, Illawarra or St George Illawarra with the most caps to this day.
Norm Provan appears in one of the most famous images in rugby league, embracing Arthur Summons in the SCG after the 1963 grand finale. The pair are now immortalized in the prime minister’s trophy.
It was named the Australian Rugby League Team of the Century in 2008 and became the game’s 13th Immortal in 2018.
We have always admired dad. He’s always been immortal to us, ” Provan’s daughter Susan said at the time.
‘That he receives this, especially now, means a lot to all of us, and to him.
He has not been very well, so he could not come today for this.
The loss comes less than 18 months after Summons died in May of last year, at age 84.
The rugby league world also mourned the deaths of game greats Bob Fulton and Tommy Raudonikis in 2021.
Family
The Dragons have led the flood of tributes.
“Norm Provan remains an iconic and crucial part of St George’s rich history,” club president Craig Young said in a statement.
Norm was instrumental in St George’s great 11-seat streak of prime minister, a feat we’ll never see again.
‘Everyone involved with the St George district and the St George Illawarra dragons wishes to send their condolences to the Norm family.
VALE NORM PROVAN
DRAGONS OF SAN JORGE
Games: 256
Attempts: 63
Premierships: 10, 1956-65 (final four as coach)
Tests: 18
Games for NSW: 20
NSWRL Player of the Year: 1958
Sun-Herald Better and Fairer: 1954
Clive Churchill Medal: 1957, 1958, 1963
Australian Rugby League Team of the Century: 2008
International Hall of Fame: 2004
NSW Team of the Century: 2008
Appointed to the NRL team of the 1950s: 2007
Immortal: 2018
Norm Provan Quick and Facts
- Rugby league immortal Norm Provan died aged 88 following dementia battle
- St George Dragons and Test legend won 10 premierships in 1950s and 60s
- Iconic image of him and Arthur Summons after 1963 grand final on NRL trophy
