About wcru

The Mighty West Coast Rugby Football Union.

Our Story

Since 1890, the West Coast Rugby Football Union has been backing local rugby across the Westland District, Hokitika, and Greymouth. With over 130 years of history behind us, we’re proud to be part of the backbone of sport on the Coast - supporting the game, the people, and the pride that comes with pulling on the red and white.

We’re here to grow rugby at every level, from junior players learning the ropes, to club legends, to our representative team, who were one of the original sides in the National Provincial Championship. Based in Greymouth, the team plays home games at John Sturgeon Park (still known by many as Rugby Park), named after one of the most respected figures in New Zealand rugby.

Our focus has always been simple: back our people, support local clubs, and keep the game strong for future generations. Whether you're on the field, in the stands, or helping out behind the scenes, you’re part of the Coast rugby whānau — and we’re proud to have you with us.

| WEST COAST RUGBY UNION EST 1890 | WEST COAST RUGBY UNION EST 1890

| WEST COAST RUGBY UNION EST 1890 | WEST COAST RUGBY UNION EST 1890

History of the West Coast Rugby Union

Our History

Black and white photo of a large crowd attending a football game in a stadium with goalposts, surrounded by hilly landscape.
Close-up of a vintage embroidered patch with red and white stripes, featuring the Manchester United crest and the word "WHEST COAST" at the bottom.
Vintage poster advertising a rugby match between South Africa and West Coast Buller on July 27, 1965, at Rugby Park Greymouth. Features an illustration of a rugby player holding a ball, with a map highlighting route locations including Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Hari Hari, Reefton, and the Otira Tunnel.
Embroidery of the Western Coast Rugby Union logo on maroon fabric.
Vintage black-and-white photo of a group of male rugby players running on the field, wearing striped jerseys and shorts, with a rugby ball in play.
A silver trophy cup with decorative patterns on the bowl, mounted on a wooden base.

  • Rugby has long been woven into the fabric of the West Coast, where the game took root amid the rugged terrain, mining towns and bush settlements of New Zealand’s South Island. In colonial times, football in various forms was already popular, with matches often played between miners, bushmen, bankers and businessmen. Rules were flexible, and team sizes were agreed on the day.

  • By the late 19th century, rugby as we know it was beginning to take hold. In September 1889, an early attempt to unify the game on the Coast came with the formation of the Greymouth District Rugby Union. However, this initiative lasted only eight months. The real breakthrough came the following year, driven by the efforts of the Greymouth Football Club. On 24 May 1890, delegates from eleven clubs met in Greymouth and unanimously voted to form the West Coast Rugby Union. Joseph Petrie was appointed the Union’s first chairman, with Edmund Wickes as secretary.

  • As rugby grew in popularity, the geographical challenges of the region soon became apparent. The vast distances between clubs made competition difficult, prompting clubs in the Buller district to break away and form their own union in 1894. Despite this, the West Coast Rugby Union continued to thrive, anchored by the strong community spirit that has always defined the region.

A large crowd of people, mostly men wearing suits and hats, gathered outdoors in front of residential houses, likely from the early 20th century.
Portrait of a young man in a vintage military uniform with N.Z.R.F.U. insignia and years 1934-35.
Black and white photograph of a rugby game with players in action on the field, a crowd of spectators in the background, and hills in the distance.
A young man with dark hair styled upwards, wearing a dark jacket with a white shirt underneath and a ribbon with fern leaves pinned on the jacket. The person has a serious expression and crossed arms, with handwritten text at the bottom of the photo.
Entrance gate to Rugby Park with a large sign displaying "Rugby Park" and a sponsorship sign for Monteith's Brewing Company, indicating support for West Coast Rugby.

  • In its early years, Victoria Park served as the home ground for West Coast rugby. A major step forward came in January 1931 when the Union received approval to purchase the McLean property in Greymouth. With financial and material support led by Tom Ryan, and physical labour driven by dedicated volunteers like John Guy and Tim O'Donnell, the land was cleared, drained and transformed into a playing field. Temporary stands, embankments and player sheds were also constructed, and later that year the new Rugby Park was officially opened.

    In 2018, Rugby Park was renamed John Sturgeon Park in honour of one of the region’s most respected rugby figures. John Sturgeon managed both the West Coast and All Blacks teams, served nationally as a New Zealand Rugby Union councillor, vice president and president, and held the role of chairman of the West Coast Rugby Union. He was made a life member of both unions, a fitting recognition of his immense contribution to the game.

  • Though the Ranfurly Shield has never been won by West Coast, the 1932 challenge against Canterbury remains legendary. With West Coast mounting a late attack, the referee mistakenly blew full time five minutes early. Despite disappointment, the Coasters accepted it as an honest error. A return match to raise funds for the unemployed ended in a memorable 6-all draw.

    In more recent history, West Coast lifted the Lochore Cup in 2023 with a home win over Poverty Bay at John Sturgeon Park — one of the proudest moments in the Union’s modern era.

  • No rivalry runs deeper than the one with neighbouring Buller, first played in 1896. In 1911, the Rundle Cup replaced the Molloy Cup as the prize for regional supremacy. Of nearly 40 inter-provincial rugby trophies in New Zealand, the Rundle Cup is the second-oldest still contested.

    Another celebrated trophy is the Seddon Shield, introduced in 1906 in honour of West Coast’s own Premier, Richard John Seddon. Contested between Buller, Nelson Bays, Marlborough and West Coast, the Coast has a proud and successful history in these matches.

  • Despite its small size, West Coast has proudly produced eight All Blacks, all selected while playing their club rugby on the Coast:

    Henry Butland, John Corbett, Sam Bligh, Harry Atkinson, Jack Steel (Captain), Frank Freitas, Mike Gilbert, Ronald King (Captain).

    Both Jack Steel and Ron King went on to captain the All Blacks, a testament to the leadership and toughness forged on the Coast.


  • Rugby remains a vital part of life on the Coast. As part of the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise, the West Coast Rugby Union continues to support the game’s growth in New Zealand, alongside South and Mid Canterbury, Buller, Tasman and Canterbury.

    The province is home to six proud clubs — South Westland, Wests, Kiwi, Marist, Blaketown and Grey Valley — representing a broad cross-section of the Coast’s communities. United by a shared passion for the game, they bring together players, coaches, and supporters from all walks of life.

    From muddy paddocks and mining town origins to modern-day moments like the Lochore Cup, West Coast rugby is shaped by its people, strengthened by its past, and driven by the red and white jersey that brings it all together.

A rugby game taking place on a grassy field with players in red and white striped uniforms. A crowd of spectators is seated in the background under a partly cloudy sky, with mountains visible in the distance.
A group of west coast rugby players and coaches celebrating on a field, holding a trophy, with medals around their necks. They are wearing team jerseys with red and white stripes, and some are dressed in red and black.
A rugby game with players running on a grass field, some with bloodstains, a player holding a rugby ball. Hills and houses are in the background.
Black and white photo of the West Coast rugby team, 1932, standing outdoors on a field in rugby uniforms with striped shirts and shorts, with arms crossed.
A crowd of children and adults sitting and standing in front of a large scoreboard display, with some people on top of it. The display shows 'West Coast Auckland' and a clock. The background features hills and trees.
A group of seven rugby players in red and white striped jerseys and shorts on a grassy field, with some players standing with hands on hips and two crouching or kneeling, engaged in a huddle or team discussion during a match or practice, with spectat
Overlook of a rugby match on a field with players in red and white uniforms, a large crowd in the background, and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A rugby game with players running on a grassy field, one player carrying the ball, surrounded by others, with trees and houses in the background.
Black and white photo of a vintage football team lineup from 1932, with players wearing striped jerseys and shorts, standing on a grassy field in front of a clear sky.
A large crowd of children and adults gathered at a sports event, watching a scoreboard and some people sitting on a platform, with a backdrop of trees and a hillside.
Group of six rugby players in red and white striped jerseys on a grassy field, with three players kneeling and three standing, appear to be strategizing or discussing during a game.
Vintage rugby program cover from a match between West Coast and British Isles, held on Tuesday, May 16th, 1950 at Rugby Park, Greymouth. The cover features flags of the UK, a kiwi bird, and a lion.
Black and white photograph of a vintage soccer team standing outdoors in front of a small building, with players crossing their arms and wearing striped jerseys and shorts.
Black and white photograph of a rugby game with players running on the field and a large crowd watching from the sidelines, with a hilly landscape in the background.
Vintage rugby match program cover from August 2, 1947, featuring a red and blue illustration of a rugby player in striped jersey with the number 12, kicking a rugby ball. The program is for a game between Buller Challengers and West Coast Holders at
Cover page of an official rugby programme from August 25, 1937, featuring South Africa versus West Coast-Buller game at Rugby Park, Greymouth, with a green background, a shield with a jumping deer emblem, and text about a whisky advertisement.
Black and white photo of rugby players running onto the field, holding rugby balls, with spectators watching from the stands.