Rugby icon Dennis Brown dies
Whangamata¯ local and former Thames Valley rugby representative “Dennis” William Henry Dennis Brown has passed away unexpectedly at age 74.
The Thames Valley representative No 632 and Waikato representative No 671, also known as “Brownie”, passed away last Monday. A celebration of his life took place at Te Titoki Reserve in Whangamata¯ last Saturday.
Brown was a distinguished rugby personality, on and off the field, and was well known and respected throughout New Zealand.
After attending Morrinsville College, he was selected for Waikato in the 1971, 1972 and 1973 seasons.
Brown played for the Kereone Rugby and Sports Club — as did another former Waikato representative, Brian Clarke, who also passed away within the past week.
“Dennis Brown played 16 games for Waikato in the 70s and went on to coaching and management roles in provincial, professional and national level rugby for many years thereafter,” Waikato Rugby chief executive Carl Moon said. “A savvy operator with a deep understanding of the game, there are many players that have been influenced by Dennis’ passion and expertise.
“We thank Brownie and Clarky for their service to our national game and offer our deepest sympathies to their respective families.”
In the mid-1970s, Brown moved to a dairy farm in Manawaru and joined the Waihou Rugby Football Club.
From there, he was selected for Thames Valley in 1977 and 1979, playing 15 games. In 1978, he was selected to represent the Colin Meads Invitation XV.
In 1985, he made four further Thames Valley appearances while representing the Hauraki North Rugby Club at Waitakaruru.
Brown went on to coach the Thames Valley team for two seasons 1991 and 1992.
The 1991 season was Thames Valley’s best in the old Division Two. They placed fourth and notched up a record 17 competition points.
In the 1990s, Brown was selector/ coach of several New Zealand age group teams.
Other roles included being the coach of Marlborough (2003-2005), the inaugural Tasman Mako (then Makos) coach in 2006, Chiefs assistant coach in 2002-2003 and New Zealand Rugby Union age-grade selector in the 1990s. Although he started his provincial career as a flanker for Waikato, Brown is well remembered as a burly, hard-working prop with a never-say-never attitude.
The Thames Valley Rugby Union and Kereone Rugby and Sports Club also extended their sympathies to Gaylene, Brown’s wife of 52 years, and all of their family.