Charles John Monro
Encyclopedia
Charles John Monro is credited with bringing Rugby union
to New Zealand
. Charles was the 4th son of New Zealand politician Sir David Monro
and his wife Dinah.
Monro became familiar with the sport at Christ's College Finchley
near London, which he attended 1867-69, playing in its 2nd XV .
He introduced the game under the 1868 rules of Rugby and with the new Gilbert oval ball to the Nelson
Football club in 1870. The first game was played between Nelson College
"The Gown" and Monro's Club "The Town" at the Botanics ground at 2pm on 14 May 1870. .
Four months later Monro's commitment to establishing Rugby in New Zealand was such that he organised, selected, coached the Wellington team, played for Nelson and also refereed the first game on the North Island at Petone on 12 September 1870.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Charles was the 4th son of New Zealand politician Sir David Monro
David Monro
Sir David Monro was a New Zealand politician. He served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1861 to 1870.-Early life:...
and his wife Dinah.
Monro became familiar with the sport at Christ's College Finchley
Christ's College Finchley
Christ's College is a state comprehensive secondary school in East Finchley, London, United Kingdom. It falls under the London Borough of Barnet Local Education Authority. It is a boys' school up to and including Year 11, and the sixth form is mixed, admitting up to 25% girls. The school presently...
near London, which he attended 1867-69, playing in its 2nd XV .
He introduced the game under the 1868 rules of Rugby and with the new Gilbert oval ball to the Nelson
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
Football club in 1870. The first game was played between Nelson College
Nelson College
Nelson College is a boys-only state secondary school in Nelson, New Zealand. It teaches from years 9 to 13. In addition, it runs a private Preparatory School for year 7 and 8 boys...
"The Gown" and Monro's Club "The Town" at the Botanics ground at 2pm on 14 May 1870. .
Four months later Monro's commitment to establishing Rugby in New Zealand was such that he organised, selected, coached the Wellington team, played for Nelson and also refereed the first game on the North Island at Petone on 12 September 1870.