John Coffey

John Coffey is a long-time sports journalist and self-confessed 'rugby league buff'. He worked for the Christchurch Press for 44 years after joining as a cadet reporter in 1963. He covered the first of more than 100 rugby league test matches at 17 and was the only New Zealand journalist on tour with the 1971 Grand Slam Kiwis in Britain and France.

John has covered America's Cup yachting, international boxing and various sports at Commonwealth and New Zealand Games. His previous books include Canterbury XIII (1987), Modern Rugby League Greats (1991) and Being Frank: The Frank Endacott Story (2002). In 2014 John was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal.