Frank Surman

Francis John "Frank" Surman ( – 3 June 1925) was a New Zealand rugby union player and professional athlete. He represented the New Zealand national rugby team in 1896. A utility back, he played at any position in the backline from halfback to the three-quarter line.

Early life Surman is listed in some publications as having been born and raised in Thames but this is far from certain.

He played in two matches for in New Zealand in 1889, In 1893 Surman played for New South Wales against the touring New Zealand side. The next season, he was one of six New Zealand-born players in the New South Wales side that toured New Zealand. He played in 10 of the 12 matches on that tour, four of which were at halfback, five on the wing and one at centre. and 1899. In 1900 he played on the wing for Eastern Suburbs in Sydney. In 1908 Surman was reported to have joined the St George rugby club in Sydney.

Athletics Surman ran as a professional athlete in Australia. His most notable victory was the 30th Botany Grand Handicap in Sydney in 1892, in which he won a purse of £100.

Later life Surman married Emma Jane Edmonson (née Atkins), a widow, in Sydney in 1908. He worked as a master butcher in the Sydney suburb of Rockdale.

Surman died aged 59 at his home in Rockdale on 3 June 1925, and was buried at Woronora Cemetery.