Kel Tremain, who achieved legendary status for his achievements for Hawke's Bay and New Zealand, wore the Northcote jersey as a schoolboy in the I940s when his parents lived near the Northcote Hotel.

From Northcote Primary he attended Auckland Grammar, going on to play representative rugby for Southland, Manawatu, Canterbury, Auckland and Hawke's Bay. He made 86 appearances for the AII Blacks and scored 36 tries.