After a playing career with the Northcote Tigers, Norton became the Tigers' head coach.[1] He led Northcote to two Fox Memorial grand final wins and a National Club knockout championship.
Norton first came to national attention while in charge of the North Harbour Sea Eagles in the Lion Red Cup. He was in charge for both the 1994 & 1995 seasons, in which they won back-to-back premierships. In both years he also won the Sam Johnson Cup for Harbour Sports' Coach of the Year.[2]
With the New Zealand Rugby League joining Super League, Norton was appointed to coach the New Zealand nines team in the Super League World Nines competition. The team won the competition in Fiji in 1996 and again in Townsville in 1997.[3]
In 1997, he also coached the New Zealand side in the Super League Tri-series.[1] The team lost to both Queensland and New South Wales.
After this, Norton all but retired from coaching. His contribution to the game was limited to his son's Under-16s team.
