Andrew Paul Grubb (20), who played representative rugby and cricket, died in Dunedin Hospital on September 16 after a quad-bike accident in Cromwell five days earlier.
Many of those gathered at the hall at East Otago High School, which Mr Grubb had attended, wore the uniforms of their teams.
A piece of turf from the corner of the field where the starting first five-eighth scored the winning try for Cromwell to defeat Maniototo in the Central Otago club rugby final last month - the club's first title in 35 years - was placed on his casket.
Hanging from the rafters behind the coffin were 17 jerseys from Mr Grubb's sporting days.
Mr Grubb's father, Jeff Grubb, spoke of a young man with a "carefree attitude and an ability to get on with everyone''.
He had a natural sporting talent and "was a committed sportsman at anything he tried''.
"The only thing we regret is the date of [his] death,'' his father said.
"What to put in, what to leave out, when 20 years seems like a long time until it isn't. He lived life taking his time, for him the party started when he got there.''
Mr Grubb received tributes from the former long-time caretaker at East Otago High School, John Rawson, who remembered him as having "a lot time for the old fellas'' and for being a friend to those "young, old and in between''.
Cromwell coach Russell Decke remembered the man for his empathy and his sense of humour.
"He was so loyal to his family and his friends,'' he said. "I was privileged to call him a mate.''
Celebrant Lynne Greer said his parents were "so proud of him'', he would be remembered as "a son who returned as much love as he was given''.
Mr Grubb claimed a record 26 catches as a wicketkeeper in his first full season for the North Otago cricket team last year.
Studying for his national certificate in sports turf management at the Otago Polytechnic Central Campus in Cromwell, Mr Grubb was due to graduate on November 25.
The service was relayed by speakers to the scores of people standing outside the packed hall.
Later, a guard of honour stretched several hundred metres down Horse Range Rd as his family walked behind the hearse carrying his flower-adorned casket.
