Like many New Zealanders, sport played a massively important part in Eric's life, and while some people are blessed with sporting talents, only those with exceptional drive and determination can excel in their pursuit of sporting excellence, and this is something Eric had, allowing him to conquer some great heights across a very wide variety of sports.

One of Eric's fondest memories from his early sporting life was that he played for his primary school at Rugby Park in Invercargill in 1937, the curtain-raiser to the famed Springboks side versus Southland. Playing in that match alongside him was a name familiar to West Coasters with a Rugby background, Mick Pittaway. Mick would become a team mate of Eric's again in 1946 with Southland, and upon moving to the West Coast himself,  a leading Rugby administrator here, then later a President of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. 

Attending Southland Boys High School in Invercargill from 1940-1944, Eric's prowess as an all-round sportsman was evident for all those who witnessed him in action, he was a true sporting prodigy, with his sporting record while there, nothing less than truly phenomenal. 

Eric was in the first XI cricket team all five years, and captain in 1943-44. He was in the First XV from 1941-44, captaining the team in 1943-1944. 

In 1941 Eric was the Intermediate gymnastics champion, while also that year he was the Junior 5's champion, and the Senior 5's champion a year later. During his time at Southland Boys High School, he also earned sporting honours in Tennis, and Basketball.

While still a student, he was also the captain of the Southland softball team, a member of the Southland athletic team, and held several Southland athletic titles.

In Eric's final year at Southland Boys High School in 1944, he was named the school's prefect, and this was the year his Rugby talents would be recognised by an even greater audience, making his debut at first five-eight as an 18-year-old for Southland against Otago at Rugby Park Invercargill. 

Eric was the first schoolboy ever chosen for the Southland province, another truly remarkable achievement. 

Southland only played two games in 1945, home and away fixtures against Otago, in which Eric played on each occasion.

During the 1939 season, Southland won the Ranfurly Shield, but it wasn't played for during the war, but it was on the line again in 1946, and Southland would defend it for the entire season. Eric played in the first three successful defences of the year, against Otago, Canterbury and South Canterbury, before transferring to the West Coast. 

Upon Eric's departure, the NZ Rugby Almanac stated "Walker was a real sheet anchor at centre, and was missed when he moved to the West Coast". 

In total, Eric played 6 games for Southland, from 1944-1946.

When word of Eric's proposed move to Hokitika reached the West Coast, there was much excitement in the air, with local clubs all excited at the possible prospect of this highly rated Southland provincial star playing for them, with one club even writing to him, trying to woo him to play for them.

Eric would tell the story of when he arrived at the Greymouth train station, there were around 12 representatives from various clubs there to greet him, such was the anticipation of his arrival, all keen to ask him to play for them. He said he turned down the club who had written to him, much to their disappointment, and decided to play for Excelsior, as the man who owned the boarding house where he would reside, was an Exes man, so that was good enough for him.

Less than a month after his arrival, he was to make his West Coast debut against Marlborough at Rugby Park, although Eric would say it was a game he wishes he never played in, as he said he badly injured his leg in a tackle from two Marlborough defenders.

Eric's West Coast career spanned from 1946-1956, and in that time he'd play some remarkable Rugby, playing a total of 46 matches for his adopted province, scoring 19 tries and kicking 1 drop goal, while captaining the team during the 1949 season. Eric was proud to be a part of the very successful Seddon Shield team of the 1950's, and I'm sure some of a more mature vintage, will have fond memories of Eric in action during that wonderful era, playing alongside some of the truly great names in West Coast Rugby history.

In-between his Rugby exploits here, Eric also ventured back to Southland to participate in several Southland Athletics Championships, having success in 1947 where he placed 1stin the shot put with a throw of 41 feet, 5 and a half inches, and in 1948 he placed 2nd  in the Hop, step & jump, 1st in the shot put with a throw of 40 ft 8 inches, and first in the discus with a throw of 123ft, 8 inches.

Back to Rugby, Eric also played for West Coast-Buller combined team in 1947 & 1949, with the 1949 fixture being the famous match against the Wallabies won 17-15 by the combined side at Rugby Park Greymouth, where he'd score a try in the game. The game was a controversial encounter, with several instances of foul play, and the loss for the Wallabies was remarkably their only one of their tour. 

In 1952, West Coast would play the New Zealand Maori team in a thrilling encounter, with Eric scoring what were described as "two slashing tries", in a close fought 30-23 loss. Eric's opponent that day was All Black great Johnny 'J.B' Smith, who would later give Eric credit as being the best centre he had ever seen. High praise indeed. 

Eric's wonderful form for West Coast throughout his career, would see him selected for the South Island team to play in the annual interisland clash in 1948, 1952 and 53, while in 1952 he was also selected for the South Island Minor Unions v North Island Minor Unions.

He'd also play All Black trials in 1947, 1948, 1953 (two trials in 53) with many astute people on the West Coast and beyond, stating that he was incredibly unlucky to have never worn the All Black jersey, with former team mate Rex Stoop, convinced that injury cruelly robbed him of what would have been certain selection in the 1949 All Black tour to South Africa. 

In total, Eric played 61 first class games, scoring 24 tries and one drop goal for a total of 75 points, playing in the midfield and on the wing mainly, although his debut for Southland was as a first five eight. 

Of course, all the while Eric played for West Coast, he also saw huge success as a player and a coach of the outstanding Excelsior R.F.C team in the 1950's, with Eric involved as the side won the title in 1953, and again from 1956-1960. He was awarded a life membership of the Excelsior club in 1972, and the Wests R.F.C, and have the Wests home ground, Walker Park, named in his honour, for his outstanding service to the clubs. 

Eric also took charge of the West Coast team between 1960-1962 as the sole West Coast coach/selector, with the 1961 season being a very successful one, winning the prized Seddon Sheild, while also bringing to prominence, an 18-year-old Ian MacRae, who'd later go on to All Black fame. 

While Rugby may have been a major focus in his life, it was far from his only sporting love.

Eric also represented West Coast and the South Island at softball, while he also played cricket for the Woodstock cricket club upon his arrival to Hokitika, and due to his dedication to his love of tennis, was made a life member of both the Hokitika Tennis Club and the West Coast Lawn Tennis Association, while also being a foundation member of the Hokitika Squash Club

Eric won multiple West Coast Athletic track and field titles in a variety of events, and was proud to be a part of the West Coast Athletic team to win Mahar Cup, from 1946-1949. Eric being a true competitor, competed right up into his 90's in some track events, and he of course won everything he entered. 

Badminton would also play a very special part in his life, and this would see him help found the Hokitika Club, where he'd be involved as an A Grade player, administrator, and inspire scores of young players through his time and dedication as a coach and mentor, taking kids to compete to all over the country, from as far-a-field as Invercargill to Auckland. 

In 2003, Eric was recognised for his lifelong dedication and contribution to sport, when he was awarded a Queens Service Medal, a fitting tribute and most deserving.

Eric George Walker, born October 28th, 1925, sadly passing April 9th, 2022. We marvel at what he achieved as a sportsman, coach and administrator and we thank him for the countless hours he gave to the community he loved, and that loved him back.

He truly was an astonishing man, who inspired countless West Coasters over many decades, and as a community, we celebrate to this day, the incredible life he lead.