Gold Coast Titans founding father Paul Broughton OAM has been remembered as a "giant" of the game, who was socially progressive and ahead of his time.
Broughton, who lived on the Gold Coast, died overnight at age 91.
Titans Chairman Dennis Watt said the NRL stalwart made "a huge impact, not just on the Gold Coast, but right across the game".
"In Paul Broughton OAM, the game of rugby league has lost one of our greatest statesmen, visionaries and contributors," Watt said.
"Paul will be sorely missed but will never be forgotten here at the Gold Coast Titans."
Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys, has described Broughton as a "legendary Rugby League figure and administrator".
"His passion for rugby league was clear to all who knew him," Mr V'landys said.
"He wanted desperately for the game to prosper and he worked tirelessly in order to make it happen,"
'Godfather' of rugby league on Gold Coast
Broughton played for the Balmain Tigers and captained the St George Dragons' third grade team to a premiership in 1953.
Following injury, he coached the Dragons' third and reserve grade teams to titles from 1962 to 1964.
In the 1970s, he coached Brisbane Brothers, Balmain Tigers and Newtown Jets first grade teams.
He is regarded as the "godfather" of rugby league on the Gold Coast, as one of the founding fathers of the Titans NRL team.
In a statement, NSW Rugby League said Broughton "influenced future coaches including Wayne Bennett, Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey … "
"Paul was affectionately, respectfully and reverentially known to all his friends in the game simply as coach," NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said.
"His impact on us has made Rugby League a vastly better game and you have made all of us vastly better people, and we offer our deepest condolences to Bev and your extended family.
"Rest in peace, coach."
Mr Trodden also described Broughton as being "ahead of his time".
"Not only in Rugby League ways but in socially progressive ways. He was a big supporter of our First Nations people," he said.
"In his later years, his enthusiasm and forward, innovative thinking about all issues across the game belied his advancing years.
"His contribution to the game across all levels is impossible to measure and he will be sorely missed."
