Larry Corowa

Larry John Corowa MBE (born 5 August 1957 in Murwillumbah, New South Wales) is an Indigenous Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. An Australian international and New South Wales representative winger, he played club football at the Balmain Tigers for six seasons between 1978 and 1983, with two games for the Gold Coast Seagulls in the 1991 New South Wales Rugby League Premiership. Playing on the wing, Corowa became one of Rugby League's most prolific try scorers of his era. He is one of a select few players to have scored more than a try a game in a season of football in Australia.

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1980 New Year Honours for service to sport.

Early life Born on 5 August 1957, Corowa grew up in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, before moving to Canberra as a teenager to live with his uncle. He played rugby league at junior level while living in Tweed Heads, but gave up the sport after moving to Canberra until he was persuaded into a tryout with the Group 8 Rugby League club Woden Valley Rams in 1976.

Playing career After a successful season with the Rams, Corowa signed with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos in 1977. He came into prominence later that year after a five-try performance while representing Monaro in their 33–12 win against the Great Britain national team.

After retiring from First Grade league following the 1983 season, Corowa moved to the Gold Coast and became involved with the Gold Coast Seagulls. In 1991, at the age of 34 and after eight years in retirement, he played two games for the Seagulls, scoring a single try to take his overall tally to 65 tries from 100 games before retiring permanently.

Post-playing In 2003, Corowa was one of 19 players named in the Balmain Tigers Team of the Century. The Larry Corowa Shield is awarded to the winner of the Wests Tigers – Gold Coast Titans pre-season trial match. The inaugural match, played in 2008, was won by the Titans. Corowa retains a strong involvement with Indigenous Rugby League and has been an Australia Day Ambassador.