Congratulations to rugby league legend, Frank Morris Endacott ONZM on being awarded an NZRL Life Membership. Frank Endacott (known as “Happy Frank”) has been involved in the sport of Rugby League for over six decades spanning many roles and responsibilities from player, coach, selector, promoter and player agent.

A stand-off half who was strong both on attack and defence, Frank was seemingly poised for a glittering career at senior level when chosen as a New Zealand Schoolboy Kiwi in 1963. But when he married young, Frank hung up his boots and concentrated on supporting his family.

However, he soon swapped the boots for a clipboard and quickly cemented himself as one of New Zealand’s greatest and most successful coaches and selectors.

Endacott started coaching Canterbury provincial sides in New Zealand before becoming involved with the Auckland Warriors, coaching the reserve side in the club’s debut year in 1995 and top premier side in 1997 and 1998.

While coaching in Canterbury, Endacott led tours of both the Junior Kiwis and New Zealand Residents. He was appointed as head coach of the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1994 and continued in this role until the end of the 2000 season. His spell as head coach included two World Cups, in 1995 and 2000.

Endacott joined the Wigan Warriors in 1999 and in the year 2000 was named Super League’s Coach of the Year.

Frank is also a well-known player agent and as been renowned for his duty of care towards his players for the last 20 years.

On December 2006 Endacott was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, as part of the New Year Honours 2007.

To this day Frank is still involved in the game in his beloved Canterbury region and remains an invariably positive spokesperson for the sport of rugby league.

New Zealand Rugby League congratulates and thank Frank on his well-deserved recognition and years of dedication to the game of rugby league.