Sir Graham Lowe - November Club Otago

A rugby league icon – as a coach and administrator – Sir Graham was in charge of the Kiwis from 1983 to 1986 and is the only non-Australian to coach a State of Origin team, mentoring Queensland to a 2-1 series victory over New South Wales in 1991. In between those duties he coached in the UK, guiding Wigan to numerous championship titles.

He also has a very fine administrative and ownership pedigree.

But his work with the Lowie Foundation and the Kick for the Seagulls programme is where his passion now lies.

Kick for the Seagulls is a sport youth education programme which helps young people to develop the knowledge and skills to become a better athlete. At the same time, it assists them to get back into or continue their study, while engaging in their chosen sporting code.

Awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for Community Service in the 1986 New Year Honours and made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to the Community in the 2013 New Year Honours, Sir Graham was promoted to the Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Youth and the Community in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.