Greymouth Welcomes Tony Hargood on His “Brief Walk Through the History of New Zealand Rugby”

Tony Hargood lines up his kick at John Sturgeon Park on Sunday, before successfully slotting his 7th kick on his tour. 

John Sturgeon Park played host to a special visitor on Sunday, as Tony Hargood arrived in Greymouth as part of his nationwide fundraising journey, “A Brief Walk Through the History of New Zealand Rugby.”

Greymouth was the seventh stop on Tony’s 26-venue mission, which will see him kick a goal at every provincial rugby ground across New Zealand. His walk is raising funds and awareness for the New Zealand Rugby Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting seriously injured rugby players and promoting player safety.

On Saturday, Tony kicked a goal at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium before the NPC Final between Canterbury and Otago, then travelled to Greymouth where he slotted his seventh successful goal at John Sturgeon Park on Sunday. So far, Tony has maintained a perfect seven-from-seven kicking record and hopes to keep his 100% streak alive as the journey continues.

Hargood said it was great to visit the West Coast again, a place he got to know well in his former role as Wairarapa-Bush Rugby CEO.

“I always love coming back to the Coast, and it was great catching up with some real West Coast characters, and to receive some typical Coast hospitality, and of course some whitebait patties!” Hargood said.

Formed in 1986 by All Black great Kel Tremain and Hawke’s Bay philanthropist Sir Russell Pettigrew, the New Zealand Rugby Foundation provides lifelong financial and emotional support to seriously injured players and their whānau, while promoting safety in the game. Since 2013, the Foundation has paid out over $5.1 million in grants, and in 2024 alone, it assisted and supported 82 seriously injured players and their families.

Hargood is now walking north to Buller, where he’ll kick his next goal at Victoria Square in Westport as part of his continuing journey around the country.

You can follow Tony’s progress around the country and to donate to the Rugby Foundation, via this web address:
www.bigtwalks.co.nz