Rugby Union: Stuart Prowse awarded Pirates' life membership

Prowse was bestowed the honour at Pirates' presentation night, much to his surprise.

"It was completely unexpected. I was completely blindsided," he said.

He hadn't given any consideration to it and, admittedly a bit distracted, didn't realise until half-way through Gordon Barbara's speech introducing the newest life member, that it was him he was talking about.

He then didn't hear the rest of it "because I was wondering what I was going to say".

First as a player, then coach, and committee member, Prowse's involvement with the club started in 1996.

He had moved back to town from Deniliquin mid-way through the previous year but was in is words "too lazy to pull the boots on".

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"In 96 I had a few mates that I went to Farrer with that were playing their final year at Pirates, they talked me into it," he said.

A second rower/number eight, he played on for a few more seasons before hanging up the boots. Still passionate about the game, and the club, he moved into the coaching ranks.

After coaching the second grade side for two seasons, he took on a role with the club's women's side.

He then put his coaching pad away for a few years but stayed involved on the committee. After serving as president of the Tamworth Tri-Colours for four years, he returned to the coaching fold in 2012 when son Greg moved into the under-16s.

With the assistance of Wayne Devine and Gavin McCrohan, Prowse coached the under-16s to two premierships, and following that the under-18s to back-to-back titles.

It was at about that time that Kelvin Collyer decided to step down as president.

Stepping up to the role, Prowse built on the foundation Collyer had set. In his three years as president Pirates won both the club and first grade premierships.

They went on this season to claim a fourth straight premiership for the second time in the club's history.

"It sounds impressive four-in-a-row, but it's hard work," Prowse said.

It takes a lot of commitment from all involved, especially the players.

"As a president all you can really do is set the platform for the coaches to do their bit and the players to do their bit," he said.

Currently the junior vice-president, Prowse reflects on the last few years with a sense of satisfaction.

And not only for the success the club have achieved on the field. If anything it is the "non-football things" that he is probably proudest of.

Like their investment in the juniors, and women. Pirates have been one of the most proactive clubs in establishing a women's competition, and Prowse was heavily involved in getting the women's side up and running again in 2016.

Under his tenure they also formed a partnership with the Westview Netball Club.

Tom Cutcliffe, who took over from Prowse as president, said the honour was "well-deserved".

"He's made a big contribution to the club. He's played there, he's coached there, he's been a vice-president, and president, and a very successful one at that," he said.

"He's given up a lot of his own time and his own business."