GREAT SOUTHERN MAN

John Sturgeon didn't want it. Having a rugby ground with his name on it didn't sit well with the down to earth former miner.

One of the great givers to the national game, Sturgeon said for many years the best recognition he would want to receive were approaches from players he had previously coached or managed as young men still wanting to catch up with him for a cuppa or a chat.

And it was only after rugby officials pulled on his provincial heart-strings that the heartland hero agreed that West Coast’s much-loved home of rugby would carry his name.

Since 1931 the venue in suburban Greymouth had been called Rugby Park.

But in 2018 – three years after the West Coast Rugby Union celebrated its 125th jubilee – it was renamed in honour of one of the region’s most loyal, popular and supportive rugby figures in Sturgeon, who’s long