Our History

The people, the honours and the red and white, since 1890.

Every name is part of the story

On 24 May 1890, delegates from eleven clubs met in Greymouth and voted to form the West Coast Rugby Union. Since then, a small province has produced All Blacks and All Black captains, New Zealand Rugby presidents and generations of players who pulled on the red and white.

These pages bring together the records kept by the people who love this game most. They are a work in progress, and we would love your help to complete them.

1890
Year the Union was formed
1,449
Numbered West Coast players, to October 2026
8
All Blacks selected from the Coast, two of them captains
4
Presidents of New Zealand Rugby

Explore the records

Honours BoardAll Blacks, national and South Island representatives, and leaders of the national game.View honoursRoll of PlayersEvery numbered player since 1893. Search for your name, or someone in your family.Find a playerCoaches & SelectorsWho has led the representative team, season by season, from 1893 to 2026.See the listPresidentsThe people who have served as President of the Union since 1890.See the list

Player No. 1

Harry Butland

In June 1893, Harry Butland played in the New Zealand trial at Petone and won selection for the tour of Australia, the first national team after the New Zealand union was formed.

That made him All Black No. 20. Clive Akers, who researched the West Coast numbering, called it coincidental but very appropriate that Butland also became West Coast representative No. 1.

Moments that shaped us

  1. 1890The West Coast Rugby Union is formed in Greymouth, with Joseph Petrie as first chairman.
  2. 1893West Coast plays its first representative game, against Nelson at the Botanical Reserve on 23 September.
  3. 1905After seven years without a representative game, West Coast returns against Buller in Westport.
  4. 1911The first Rundle Cup game is played against Buller in Westport on 12 August.
  5. 1931Rugby Park opens in Greymouth, built with the help of dedicated volunteers.
  6. 2018Rugby Park is renamed John Sturgeon Park.
  7. 2023West Coast lifts the Lochore Cup with a home win over Poverty Bay.

Help us fill the gaps

Spotted a mistake, or have an old team photo, programme or newspaper clipping? Some seasons are still missing a coach's name, and your family's records could be the missing piece.

Share your history

West Coast Rugby Museum

For more than three decades, Adam Gilshnan has collected West Coast rugby memorabilia, from match programmes and photos to jerseys, blazers and caps. His private museum in Greymouth helps preserve the Coast's rugby past for the future, and you can get in touch with him to arrange a visit.

Visit the museum website or follow it on Facebook