ALLAN HANS BUSCH - 1983 : Allan played JAB rugby in North Canterbury.

As an 18-year old he joined the Navy and went off to World War II in August 1942.  Allan returned to West Eyreton in December 1945. As an ex-serviceman, Allan won a ballot in early 1946 for a farm and shifted to Shands Track, Prebbleton.

Allan started playing rugby at Prebbleton in 1947. He played ERSU Senior A in 1949 and 1950, alongside John Hartnell in the position of second 5/8. 

Allan joined the Club Committee in 1947 and was appointed Senior Club Captain in 1955, a position he held for 27 years until 1982. 

Allan co-coached the Club's U19 team with Jim Sharpe in 1959 & 1960, and was Senior B coach from 1969-1973.  

He supported his five sons at Prebbleton. Along with his wife Bertha they could be seen on Saturday afternoons sitting in their car watching games.

THOMAS WILLIAM SMITH - 1983 : Tom was a member of the club from the late 1930s and then Patron in the 1950s. The family do not believe Tom played rugby for Prebbleton, however he spent a lot of time organising players and teams. He was also involved in coaching, especially schoolboys. Tom also represented Prebbleton on the Ellesmere Rugby Sub Union.

Tom's ability to recognise players' potential and organise teams resulted in an appointment to the ERSU and Country Selection and Coaching Panels.

His close involvement with the Prebbleton Domain Board, the club and the council was to the clubs advantage, especially in acquiring some of the adjoining land that the Club enjoys the use of today.

Tom supported Prebbleton every weekend, until failing health presented him from doing so. His efforts and enthusiasm, along with other locals at the time when there was very little help available kept the club going.

RODNEY SYDNEY CROSSAN - 1983 : After playing for the Irwell and Dunsandel clubs in the Ellesmere Sub Union, Sid first played in the Prebbleton colours in 1939 as part of the winning Senior A competition team. Sid was the diminutive winger in the team which also contained club stalwart Rex Smith.

Events on the other side of the world at the end of that season ensured that that was the first and last season that Sid played for the club. The career of another aspiring All Black was bought to a premature end. From 1940 until the end of the war, Sid served in the Pacific and Italy.

On his return to Prebbleton, it was soon apparent that Sid’s jaunt overseas wasn’t just for sightseeing purposes. He bought back some new skills developed in the services and was quick to put them to good use in the club. Depending on the version of the story you’re listening to, Sid had become an acknowledged expert in the culinary art of cooking pies and sausages. With his trusty assistant Noel Gollan and a camp oven constructed from 44-gallon drums, Sid did the rounds of the representative matches, Ellesmere 7-A-Side, and other games providing his wares at 6d a piece. From the profits, PRFC was put back on its feet. Many rugby players can claim to have been raised on hot pies, but not many rugby clubs.

Sid served as Club Secretary/Treasurer from 1949-52 and also as Junior Club Captain. In 1980 he was elected to Patron of the Club.

Sid has also filled the roles of Gatekeeper and Doorkeeper extraordinaire. Over 20 years these important duties were carried out with many prospective gate crashers receiving the short shift from Sid - no ticket, no entry was the policy.

The life blood of any rugby club these days is the transfusion provided by the raffle run in the local area. Winter and summer, large crowd or small, in his quiet and unassuming way Sid all by himself ensured that the necessary tickets were sold and the prizes duly claimed.

In his own steady way, Sid Crossen was the epitome of what all clubs survive on, truly conscientious members. 

PETER LEE - 1994 (75th Jubilee) : Peter Lee started playing for Prebbleton as a hooker in 1955, and retired from playing in 1980 after playing Senior A, B and Reserves.  He was a member of the legendary 1974 side which won the ERSU Division One Competition and in 1975 was a member of the Prebbleton Senior Reserve side which won its ERSU competition.

Peter coached U10, U11, U13, U17, as well as the Senior A and B sides.  He also co-coached the Prebbleton Women's side.  He managed the Senior A side in 1991 and 1994, and the Colts team in 1997.

As an administrator, he sat on the club committee for 35 years, including a stint as President in 1982 and 1992.  He was ERSU delegate in 1980 and 1981.  He ws also a member of the 1994 75th Jubilee Committee.

Peter was made a Life Member in 1994.  These days he lives in Adelaide.

PAUL LEE - 1994 (75th Jubilee) : Paul started playing for the club in 1955 as a halfback.  He was selected for the Ellesmere Rep's in various junior grades and remembers playing at Lancaster Park in the Country Junior Side.

Over the years Paul has played in the club's Senior A, B and Reserves sides, before retiring from playing in 1977 with a neck injury.  His proudest moment was as a member of the 1975 Senior Reserve side which won the Ellesemere competition that year.

He began coaching in 1980 with the U12 side and went though the grades.  His U11 team won the Ellesmere competition.

In administration, Paul was a member of the club's committee for 35 years, including secretary in 1976 and 1977, delegate to the ERSU in the 1980s, Club Captain from 1983-1995, and being named Patron in 2000, a position he still holds.

Paul was a member of the 1994 75th Jubilee Committee and the 2019 Centenary Committee.

Paul was made a Life Member in 1994 and in centenary year has provided 65 years of continuous service.

R N GARDNER (BOB) : Bob joined the club in 1960.  He played U18, Senior B, Senior A and Senior Reserve, and retired from playing in 1979 after receiving a concussion out at Leeston.  He coached Senior Reserve in 1976 and Ellesmere Sub Union Senior Reserves from 1980-1984.

Bob was club secretary from 1967-1970, President in 1974 & 1975, and President of the 75th Jubilee Committee in 1994.  Bob has given more than 40 years of service to Prebbleton RFC.

TONY GRIMWOOD : Tony joined Prebbleton as a Division One player in January 1979.  The following year the team dropped to Senior B and Grimmy went with them.  He played for the competition winning sides of 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1984, while also playing in the 1982 victorious sevens team.

Due to serious injury in the last game of the 1984 season, he retired from playing and turned to coaching.  Grimmy coached 24 Prebbleton teams from 1985 -2014.  His teams reached 15 finals and his finals records include eight titles.  He also managed the Club's Division One team from 2011 to 2018.

Grimmy took up a referee's whistle in 1987 and two years later was named Canterbury Country's most promising referee.  In fact, he refereed his first Division One game in his first year, an almost unheard of feat.  Tony retired from refereeing in 1997 due to ill health.

In 1990 he joined the Club's committee and was elected Vice President in 1993, and President in 1995, serving until 1997 when ill health forced him to quit.

In 2003, Tony was re-elected President and spent another 12 years in the hot seat.  During this time, the club grew from 13 teams to 30 teams.

Over the past 40 years Tony has been a stalwart, as a player, referee, coach, elected office bearer, painter (during club additions), groundsman, bar manager, cleaner, you name it and he has probably done it.  Tony has also served long stints as chair on the Prebbleton Combined Sports Board, managed the Reserve Management Board, and spent 33 years as secretary/treasurer of the Prebbleton Cricket Club.

Over the years, Tony and his wife Donna, have received a number of achievement awards including a special recognition badge in 2000 for many years dedicated service to PRFC, a tankard in 2002 from his Under 17 Team for an unbeaten season, a special award in 2006 for his contribution to Ellesmere Rugby, in 2014 a rugby ball with a carved base in recognition of their service and dedication to PRFC, and in 2017 the ultimate award of Canterbury Rugby Volunteer Of The Year.

JOHN BORLASE : John joined the Prebbleton Rugby Football Club in 1989 when his sons Michael (U7's) and Peter (Midgets) commenced playing rugby. He coached the Under 7 team that year together with Kerry Bryce. They took that group of boys through to the Under 13 grade. A lot of fun and pleasure was gained in witnessing the development of those boys.

Back then coaches attended the monthly committee meetings. That together with working bees, 7-a-side tournaments, JAB trips to Hanmer and touch rugby in the summer gave John a good insight into how the club operated and the people within.

John was a Police Detective stationed at Hornby so had good knowledge of the Ellesmere District. He was involved with problem solving issues within the club when necessary.

All of the above was good grounding for his next moves. Firstly Committee member then onto Vice President (1994-1997). He served his apprenticeship under the tutelage of Tony Grimwood. John became President part way through 1997 and continued in that role throughout 1998-1999.

When professional rugby came into force in 1995/1996 John was appointed to the Canterbury Rugby Union Amateur Advisory Group. Their role was to oversee the protection and continued development of the amateur game within Canterbury Metro and Country clubs into the future.

John was also club delegate to the Canterbury and Ellesmere Rugby Unions. He later became an Ellesmere Board Member for a number of years.

Beside his administrative roles John's main strength over the years was leadership of the Prebbleton Rugby Club Sponsorship portfolio. He enjoyed working with the many sponsors  in particular the various managements of the Golden Mile Tavern (Main Sponsor) and its Community Trusts. John states "Loyalty" was the winner throughout those partnerships.

Resulting from the funding John derived great pleasure and satisfaction witnessing the progress of the club through ground development, upgrade of facilities and membership growth over the years.

John maintains that it has been his involvement with the Prebbleton Rugby Club that helped him retain his sanity from the pressures of police work amongst other things.

John is honoured and proud to have been made a Life Member of the Prebbleton Rugby Football Club. He congratulates the club on reaching 100 years in 2019 and wishes everyone all the best for the next 100 years.

MIKE MILES : Mike joined the Club's Division One team in 1978 when he was 21 and played through to the end of 1986.  He returned to play Division Two from 1989 to 1994, and played for the Dinos from 1995 to 2002 when, at the age of 46, he reckons his body said "enough".

In 2005 and 2006 he managed the Colts and managed the club's Division One side from 2007 until 2019.

Mike coached both U15 and U17 teams when the club needed someone to step up, but says coaching is not one of his strong points, whereas managing is.

He joined the club's committee when he joined the Division One team in 1978, becoming secretary from 1984 to 1986. Mike was club captain from 2005 to 2011 and resigned from the committee due to work commitments with the Christchurch earthquake rebuild.

Mike was on the Prebbleton Combined Sports and Recreation Board, which was set up in 1981 to build and fund what is now the main function room for PRFC, becoming secretary after the build was completed.

He is also a member of the Prebbleton Reserve Board.

Mike was a founding playing member of the Prebbleton RFC Cricket Team in 1978. Why commit to PRFC for 40 years?  The sense of family within the club he says. After playing town rugby, the country atmosphere was much more enjoyable.

PETE CALLANDER : Peter joined the club in 2001 after the Lincoln Club had insufficient numbers for his son Brad to be in a team. Derek Todd was the coach and Peter the manager, and he managed teams until 2013. He also joined the Club Committee as Treasurer in 2002. The Team Manager role extended to Ellesmere and Canterbury Country rep teams through to 2005, including Ellesmere Seniors in 2003 and 2004 with John Thomson.

Over the seasons, Peter worked with many ‘Dads’ in various teams, including Derek Todd, Bernie Schrader (Ellesmere champs U17 in 2004 – the score was 19-14 v Leeston), John Griffiths, Adrian Werahiko, Rob Wieblitz, John Down, Richard Busch, Geoff Hessell, Pete Welsh and Warren Hastings.

Over the years John Borlase and Peter became the Club’s Gaming Trust Application specialists, and much of the financial strength that the Club still enjoys today was built up under their stewardship. He also spent many hours behind the bar, with the ‘highlight’ being an age group team winning the Ellesmere final and him tending bar until 4.30am as Woody/Chris Laughton and the Kerrison family led the celebrations.

Having also retired in 2001, Peter became the club painter and in successive summers painted everything, including the roof in 3 hours with Tony & Craig Grimwood, and Gavin Bowley.

Two items of note over that time were

- the year the Gear Shed was burnt down. Photos taken as new gear had been acquired resulted in a new shed full of brand new training/match gear.

- the 2010 Christchurch earthquake had a profound effect with the clubrooms quite badly damaged, but the claim was done and repairs made as monthly meetings continued through the aftershocks.

From 2003-2013 he represented the club on the Ellesmere Board, being Treasurer and a member of the Judicial Panel.

In 2013 Peter and Janine relocated to Nelson and sadly for all parties Prebbleton and Ellesmere Rugby were left behind.

PAT ALLAN BUSCH - 1990 : Pat started playing rugby at Prebbleton as a 9 year old in 1950. He played ERSU JAB Rugby & ERSU Colts as a 16 year old, and stayed in the side for four years. He played his last ERSU Senior B Representative game at Darfield in September 1968.

He was club Secretary/Treasurer in 1965 and 1966, Club President in 1967-68, and Club Committee Member until at least 2004.

Pat co-coached the Prebbleton Senior B Team in 1969/70, and was co-coach with Jack Stubberfield for ERSU Senior B in 1971/72.

Injury ended his playing days so he took up rugby refereeing in 1973, and refereed his last game in 1996. He was E.R.R.A. Appointment’s Officer from 1987 to 1996.  Pat was also Ellesmere RSU Junior Advisory Board Delegate from the early 1980’s and Country RSU – JAB until the mid-1990’s. He was ERSU Under 14 – 1984, Under 16 – 1986, Under 18 – 1998 - Rep Manager, & CRSU Rep Manager for Under 14 – 1984/1985, Under 16 – 1986, 87, 88, 89-90. He was also a C.R.S.U. Delegate to the Senior Body in 2000/2001.

He was Ellesmere RSU Delegate in Administration of Rugby of the ERSU Management Committee for many years from mid-1960’s to 2004.  Pat was the only Rugby Administrator in Ellesmere to become : ERRA Referee’s President 1987/88 / ERSU JAB President 1992/93 / ERSU President 1998 to 2002

He was awarded P.R.F.C. Life Membership in 1990 and E.R.R.A. {Referee’s} Life Membership in 1998. He was given Canterbury Rugby Referee’s Association Life Membership in 2000.

He gave everything he could give to rugby from 1965 to 2004. Such was his dedication to the game as a player, administrator, supporter or referee or manager of Representative Teams that at the E.R.S.U. Annual End of Season Dinner, both Pat and Wendy (his wife} shared the “E.R.S.U. BNZ Trophy” as Ellesmere” Personality of the Year” in 1992.

ALISTAR BUSCH - 2018 : Prebbleton Rugby was the Busch's families' life going back 70 years, when Alistar's father played for Prebbleton seniors and Ellesmere rugby teams.

There were 5 boys in the family and all played rugby for Prebbleton through the grades.  Alistar played in all age grade teams for Prebbleton from the age of 5 until he was 37 years (1958-1999).

He played in Ellesmere representative teams, including School Boys from 1963-1968 (U16, U19, Seniors and Senior B).  In 1987 he played for Methven  He was selected in Country teams, including U16 and U19, and was selected for Canterbury U16 in 1968 and U19 in 1972.

Alistar played 20 years of senior rugby, and captained the Prebbleton senior team for numerous seasons.  No records were ever kept back then.  He played in the Prebbleton Senior side that won the Ellesmere competition in 1974 and the Sevens team which won the senior Ellesmere comptition from 1971-1973.  He coached junior teams from 1980-1985, was on the committee from 1973-1986 and served as treasurer from 1976-1986.  He organised raffles at the Golden Mile on Friday nights for a decade, carted hay to raise funds, supplying a tractor, loader, truck and trailers, helped build the clubrooms, organised the Prebbleton night sevens, and tiled, drained and worked the main field when irrigation was installed.

Alaistar moved south in 1991 and moved back to Hinds in 2005.  His son Nathan played senior rugby for Prebbleton.  In short, Alistar was a dedicated player, member and supporter for Prebbleton which continues to this day.

JEROMY KNOWLER - 2018 : Jeromy was first involved with PRFC in 2001, filling in for the DIV III team. Jeromy and his family moved to Prebbleton and he coached his sons' teams from 2004 until 2013.

He became Junior Club Captain in 2008, a role he held for five years.  At the same time, he was the Ellesmere Junior Representative for PRFC.

Jeromy became Vice President in 2013 and President in 2014.  He helped to establish the Blue Bullets Golden Oldies with Frank Kerrison and Andrew Lil, and has played for the team for the past 10 years since their inception.

KARL CHALLIS - 2018 : Karl grew up in Prebbleton and says it was only natural that he played rugby with his school mates. He was a JAB rep from 1977-1988, played Division One for 11 years from 1989-1999, and was included in Ellesmere and Country rep teams.  He joined the Blue Bullets in 2009 and continues to play to this day.

Karl coached JAB and Division One, and his U17 side won the ERSU competition in 2000, while his U18 sides won the ERSU competition in 2017 and 2018.

Karl is a current committee member on both the club and the centenary committee, and has spent almost 30 years as a committee man.  He spent three and a half years as treasurer and was the Senior Club Captain.

"I have many friends today at Prebbleton that I either grew up playing with, played against, coached or was managed by.  Many of these friendships also involved our own children playing rugby together as we stood on the sidelines watching"

"Prebbleton continues to be a huge part of my life today and will do so for many years to come.  It's in my DNA"

STEVE (WOODY) LAUGHTON - 2019 : Steve joined the Club as a player in 1981 and played through to the end of 1985. On return from Australia in 1991, he played two more seasons, the first as Captain of the Division 2 side and the second as player/coach.

Steve has coached almost every grade in the Club, following both sons through their respective grades, finishing in the 2011 and 2012 seasons as Division 1 coach alongside Brian Guthrie.

Steve joined the Committee in 1994 and spent seven years as Club Captain. He has been a keen volunteer for Ellesmere Finals Day for the past 20 years, and has been a member of the Grounds Sub-Committee, marking lines and settting up fields over the past five years.

"I suppose the Club has been my second home".

DEREK TODD - 2020 :