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This is from yesterdays Sutherland Shire Leader, I thought it might interest some of the old Balmain supporters here.
Toughest Battle
By Brad Forrest.
Peter Provan, one of St.George and Balmain rugby league club's most famous players, is staging his biggest fight in a six year long battle against disease. With older brother Norm, the Provans are the only brothers to have captained premiership-winning first grade sides at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The 69 year old might be facing a losing battle against the debilitating disease defusia lewybody, but the man who played in three winning grand finals, two for St.George and one with Balmain, put on a brave face in Stella Maris Nursing home. "I'm going ok. considering." he said alongside Carol Provan, his wife of more than 30 years.
Provan grew up in Cronulla, played nine years for St.George and 11 years for Balmain Tigers. With brother Norm leading the side, he played in St.George's winning 1958 and 1959 premiership sides before joining the Tigers. In an era where the Saints' mercurial lock Johnny Raper starred, Peter Provan still managed to make his name, representing Australia in 1963 and helping Balmain to three grand finals in the space of 5 years.
"We lost the first two (1964 and 1966) but we beat the favourites, Souths, in 1969." he recalled. Provan starred for the Tigers, leading by example and captaining Balmain to a well earned win. The team members plan on visiting Provan before their annual celebration dinner this weekend. Carol Provan, a former Sutherland Shire mayor and television personality, was heart broken when her husband had to leave the family home that he built in Cronulla. "Peter was a strong carpenter up until his ill health and the Tudor stye home he built us is still featured in magazines." she said.
"He's been in and out of hospital the past six years and now he should get some peace in the nursing home. He's an amazing person, despite his problems, and that's why people like Johnny Raper and Reg Gasnier still visit him. He's been a mate to me and so many people in and out of league."
Toughest Battle
By Brad Forrest.
Peter Provan, one of St.George and Balmain rugby league club's most famous players, is staging his biggest fight in a six year long battle against disease. With older brother Norm, the Provans are the only brothers to have captained premiership-winning first grade sides at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The 69 year old might be facing a losing battle against the debilitating disease defusia lewybody, but the man who played in three winning grand finals, two for St.George and one with Balmain, put on a brave face in Stella Maris Nursing home. "I'm going ok. considering." he said alongside Carol Provan, his wife of more than 30 years.
Provan grew up in Cronulla, played nine years for St.George and 11 years for Balmain Tigers. With brother Norm leading the side, he played in St.George's winning 1958 and 1959 premiership sides before joining the Tigers. In an era where the Saints' mercurial lock Johnny Raper starred, Peter Provan still managed to make his name, representing Australia in 1963 and helping Balmain to three grand finals in the space of 5 years.
"We lost the first two (1964 and 1966) but we beat the favourites, Souths, in 1969." he recalled. Provan starred for the Tigers, leading by example and captaining Balmain to a well earned win. The team members plan on visiting Provan before their annual celebration dinner this weekend. Carol Provan, a former Sutherland Shire mayor and television personality, was heart broken when her husband had to leave the family home that he built in Cronulla. "Peter was a strong carpenter up until his ill health and the Tudor stye home he built us is still featured in magazines." she said.
"He's been in and out of hospital the past six years and now he should get some peace in the nursing home. He's an amazing person, despite his problems, and that's why people like Johnny Raper and Reg Gasnier still visit him. He's been a mate to me and so many people in and out of league."
