One of New Zealand rugby league's toughest coaches, Sir Graham Lowe, was honoured yesterday for his services to youth and education.
The former Kiwis and State of Origin coach has helped educate hundreds of disadvantaged men and women around the country.
"Everyone's battling away in that same position, they go that way, defence goes that way, or their bad habits go that way so you're just trying to get out of that zone," said Sir Graham.
"We get stuck in bad habits and bad environments, and we're trying to get out but those who want to keep us down at that level, they're countering whatever we do."
The rugby league great received the honour of Knight Companion for services to youth and education. (Source: Other)
The 72-year-old has taken his experiences from coaching at the elite level and has applied it to a unique programme which is running at polytechnics and prisons around New Zealand - helping and motivating people to achieve their goals in life.
"I've had a deep desire for a lot of my life to help those particularly disadvantaged young guys."
His passion to help his community was recognised yesterday with a knighthood, an honour he never expected growing up in Ōtāhuhu.
"It's a special moment," he said. "You can't describe it."
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