 He grew up during the golden age of Taranaki rugby, with the provincial side holding the Ranfurly Shield for two tenures in 1957–1959, and 1963–1965.He played age-grade representative rugby for Taranaki at the age of 12.The Loveridge family owned a pig farm in Tariki south of Inglewood, and Loveridge attended Inglewood High School for his secondary education.