Joyce Churchill, the wife of rugby league Immortal and South Sydney icon Clive has sadly passed away at the age of 99.
Joyce regularly presented the Clive Churchill Medal named after her late husband, which is awarded to the best player in the NRL Grand Final each season, with Broncos star Reece Walsh picking up the honour in 2025.
Clive, who passed away in 1985, was one of rugby league’s original four Immortals in 1981 along with Reg Gasnier, John Raper and Bob Fulton.
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Joyce was on hand to present the Clive Churchill Medal to Sam Burgess after Souths broke their 43-year premiership drought in 2014.
It was the first time the Rabbitohs had won a title since Clive was the coach in 1971.
The NRL released a statement paying tribute to the life of Joyce Churchill.
“The ARLC and the NRL are deeply saddened by the passing of Joyce Churchill, aged 99,” the statement said.
“Joyce Churchill was a staunch and passionate supporter of rugby league and proud representative of her late husband, Immortal Clive Churchill.
“The legacy of the Clive Churchill Medal will live on thanks to the extraordinary contributions of Clive and Joyce Churchill.
“We send our deepest condolences to Joyce Churchill’s family and friends, as well as those who were touched by her generosity and support.”
Clive Churchill played 158 games for his beloved South Sydney and is still regarded as one of the finest players in rugby league’s proud history.
He won five premierships with Souths as a player over a five year stretch in 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955 and was later awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for 1954.
The Little Master as he became known was a devastating fullback with superb running skills and scored nine tries in 38 games for the Kangaroos from 1948 to 1956 as well as playing three games for Queensland.
After his retirement from his playing days, Churchill became a coach of South Sydney for 229 games from 1958 to 1975 and also coached Northern Suburbs and Canterbury.
The legend of the sport was inducted into the National Rugby League and International Hall of Fame in 2002 and the 2017 NSWRL Hall of Fame in 2017.
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