LEAGUE
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The Batemans Bay Rugby League Club mourns the loss of one of their favourite sons following the sudden death of Phillip Spring in Young on Friday November 29, at only 41 years of age.
Phillips is survived by his wife Jenny and six children - Matthew (17), Rebecca (15), Michael (13), Jessica (12) and twins Kaitlyn and Lucinda.
Phillip was the third of seven children born to Ray and Judy Spring.
He is survived by his mother Judy, sister Vickie and brothers Tony, Peter, Raymond and Stephen. Brother Richard and father Ray predeceased him.
Phillip was born in Young in 1961 and trained as a boilermaker.
He was a willing volunteer who helped construct the Junior League grandstand and pony club dressage arena in Young.
He also coached the Juniors and was a keen horseman, enjoying Snowy Mountain Brumby Runs.
Phillip's younger brother Peter played with the Bay in 1984 and talked him into coming down to the coast in 1985.
He was an immediate hit around the club with his easy going demeanour and love of a few social beers.
In 1985 he formed a formidable front row for the Tigers with his brother Peter and Joey Broadhurst as hooker.
I remember when Milton came down one Sunday as favourites and coach Mal Cheney thought the way to get a win was to upset them a bit and bung on a blue in the first scrum, Phillip and Peter thought this a great idea.
I recall working in the steak stall and saying to a customer who wanted a sanger "Hang on, I want to watch the blue."
He said "What blue?" - then the ball went in and the boys went to work.
It proved a solid tactic as the Bay got the win and Phillip thought it should be employed more often.
In 1986 Phillip captained the Bay to a premiership win when they defeated Warilla 10-8 at Nowra.
The side included Tony Chapman, David Shooks, Neil Williams, Lyndon Poirrier, Les Haynes, Brett Douglass, Steve Broadhurst and Harvey Shears.
Phillip captained the first grade again in 1987. In 1988 he was joined in first grade by some talented local youngsters in Michael Shooks, Mick Elliott, Jeff Geppert and Jason Croker and he captained the Geoff Leary coached side to another premiership win over Gerringong.
He was appointed captain coach in 1989 and played with Robert Beattie, Mark Loader, Mick Shooks, Mick Elliott, Wayne Wilson, Mark Afflick, Jeff Geppert, Mick Mantelli, Paul Wilton and Jason Stammers.
Phillip was an inspirational captain who led by example and was a great influence on the local lads.
He always underestimated himself as a footballer saying he was nowhere near as good as his brother Peter but his size and heart made him a formidable opponent up the coast and a solid and reliable first grade captain.
Phillip was a pretty good celebrator of a win or a loss with his favourite song "Somebody stole my horse and saddle" getting quite a few runs over the years.
When at a loss for the words of a song the big fella would trot out the spoons and tap along.
A real country boy with love for life, Phillip was, after all was said and done, a family man and his love for his wife and children was foremost.
He returned to Young in 1990 and worked in the outdoor staff with the Young Shire Council where he had particular responsibility for the upkeep of the two Young cemeteries and the shire rural cemetery.
He had recently purchased a cherry farm at Monteagle, near Young which he also worked.
Phillip will be sadly missed by his many friends here in Batemans Bay where he was a big part of our club and our community for five years.