Club History
History of Hornsby Rugby Club
There is some evidence that Rugby was played in Hornsby as early as 1906. There exists a photograph of a Hornsby "Football" team taken in that year. The photograph includes an obviously Rugby shaped ball as well as Jimmy Bancks, the creator of the Ginger Meggs comic strip. There are also photographs of Hornsby Rugby teams taken during the 1940s and 50s.
Moves to re-establish the club began with an initial public meeting at the Pymble Community Hall in late 1961. The move to form the club was in response to the Sydney Rugby Union's decision to establish a Second Division of the Sydney Grade Competition in 1962.
The Club opened the season with twenty-nine players and entered two teams in the competition. Numbers of players increased in ensuing years and a Third Grade side was entered in 1963 and a Fourth Grade side in 1964. This year also saw the great All Black and Waikato player Don Clarke tour Australia. While here he agreed to play for Hornsby against Mosman at Waitara Oval on Saturday 11th July. He helped Hornsby to the win by scoring a try and kicking two penalties and three conversions. There was some restrictions place upon from where he could attempt goal kicks. Apparrently one successful attempt was from beyond halfway and landed in the tennis courts at the southern end of the ground. Clarke's legacy remains as his Waikato province team colours of Red, Black and Gold provided the inspiration for the Hornsby jersey.
In 1965 Hornsby was the first district club in the Sydney Rugby competition to form a Colt's team which had a great year even making the semi-finals. During the 1970s Hornsby developed as a strong Second Division Club and held hopes of gaining entry into the Sydney First Division competition. The introduction of promotion and relegation provided the club with this opportunity in 1976. Hornsby struggled to be competitive at this level of competition as a club however our First Grade produced some creditable performances.
The late 1970s also saw Hornsby Rugby Club establish a strong link with the Fijian community as a number of players from the Nadi district arrived to bolster our ranks. Some of these players were Fijian internationals and included Nasivi Ravouvou and Joe Savou. In more recent years Hornsby Rugby has welcomed players from many backgrounds and has developed a particularly strong association with the Tongan Community.
Hornsby returned to the Second Division in 1979 a much stronger club and was determined to return to the top level. This was achieved in 1981 and the club managed two First Grade wins and one Second Grade win but was unable to avoid relegation. It is worth noting that Hornsby fielded four Colt's teams in 1981, a fact which undoubtedly made some neighbouring clubs nervous and may well have hastened the Sydney Rugby Union's decision to abandon the promotion and relegation system.
Hornsby continued as a strong Second Division club, regularly having all or most of our teams playing in the finals. The Club was still hopeful that promotion and relegation would be introduced giving us the opportunity to regain access to the higher level of competition. The promotion of Drummoyne in 1990 appeared to create that opportunity but Hornsby was denied access to the First Division despite winning the Second Division Club Championship three years in succession.
This was an era of significant success on the playing field for the Club. The Lions had a series of almost invincible Colt's teams and won many premierships including the 1991 First Grade, Third Grade and Colts Premierships and the 1991 and 1992 Club Championship trophy.
In 1993 the Second Division competition was combined with the Sydney Suburban competition. As winners of the Sydney Second Division competition in 1991 and 1992 Hornsby were promoted directly into Div 1 of the new Suburban competition which included 17 teams. The club continued their strong success that year winning the Second Grade, Third Grade and Colts Premierships and the Bruce Graham Sheild (Club Championship).
The structure changed in 1994 with only the top ten teams from 1993 remaining in Div 1 and Hornsby stuggled in this format until they were relegated to Subbies Div 2 following a 10th place finish in 1997.
Hornsby remained in the Second Division of the Sydney Suburban competition for 14 consecutive years. Over that time the Lions had a strong presence in the finals series and won several premierships.
A poor end to the 2011 season saw the Lions drop down to the Third Division however they continue to focus on providing the opportunity for people to play with a friendly and committed club. Strong associations with the local community and schools as well as the continued development of our Junior club will stand us in good stead during our fiftieth year celebrations in 2012 and onwards.
Trophy Cabinet
Hornsby's First Premiership came in 1966 when they won the 2nd Grade Premiership in the Sydney Second Division competition. Since then Hornsby teams from each senior grade have won many trophies across both the Sydney Second Division competition and the Sydney Suburban competition. Some of these trophies are:
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Premierships
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Hornsby Rugby Club Key Dates
2010 - 3rd Grade Blunt Cup Runners Up [Barker 5-10]
2010 - 3rd Grade Blunt Cup Minor Premiers
2010 - Colts Robertson Cup Semi-Finalists
2009 Hornsby are the only team in 2009 Div 2 to win two Premierships
2009 - 3rd Grade Blunt Cup Joint Premiers [Lindfield 19-19]
2009 - 3rd Grade Blunt Cup Minor Premiers
2009 - Colts Robertson Cup Premiers [def Barker 15-10]
2009 - Colts Robertson Cup Finalists for the 4th consecutive year
2008 - 4th Grade Richardson Cup Finalists
2008 - Colts Robertson Cup Finalists
2007 Hornsby 1st Grade win the Andy Warner Memorial Trophy against Lindfield on June 2nd, 2007 (Back To Hornsby Day).
2007 - 4th Grade Richardson Cup Minor Premiers
2007 - 4th Grade make the Richardson Cup Finals
2007 - Colts Robertson Cup Premiers [def Lindfield 20-18]
2006 - 2nd Grade make the Stockdale Cup Finals
2006 - 4th Grade Richardson Cup Joint Premiers [Beecroft 5-5]
2005 Hornsby finish second in the Div 2 Club Championship table
2005 - 1st Grade Barraclough Cup Runners Up [St Ives 17-18]
2005 - 2nd Grade Stockdale Cup Finalists
2004 Hornsby finish third in the Div 2 Club Championship table
2004 - 1st Grade Barraclough Cup Semi-Finalists
2004 - 2nd Grade Stockdale Cup Semi-Finalists
2004 - Colts Robertson Cup Finalists
2003 - 4th Grade Richardson Cup Semi-Finalists
2002 - 4th Grade Richardson Cup Runners Up [Beecroft 5-8]
2002 - 3rd Grade Blunt Cup Semi-Finalists
2002 Hornsby clubman Andy Warner dies during a game at Waitara Oval against Oatley Rugby Club on June 1st, 2002
2001 Sokonaia Ratudradra (Flanker) wins the 2001 W.W. Ellis Medal
2001 Hornsby finish third in the Div 2 Club Championship table
2001 All Hornsby Grade teams finish within the top four and make the finals series
2001 - 1st Grade Barraclough Cup Semi-Finalists
2001 - 2nd Grade Stockdale Cup Semi-Finalists
2001 - 3rd Grade Blunt Cup Semi-Finalists
2001 - 4th Grade Richardson Cup Semi-Finalists
2000 - 3rd Grade Blunt Cup Premiers
1999 - 2nd Grade Stockdale Cup Runners Up [Drummoyne 10-23]
1999 - 3rd Grade Blunt Cup Premiers [def Knox 20-8]
1999 - 4th Grade Richardson Cup Premiers [def Canterbury 5-3]
1999 - 4th Grade Richardson Cup Minor Premiers
1998 Hornsby finish third in the Div 2 Club Championship table
1997 Hornsby finish the season bottom of the Div 1 Championship table and are relegated to Div 2 in 1998
1994 - Colts Barbour Cup Runners Up
1993 Club Champions - Bruce Graham Sheild
1993 - 2nd Grade Burke Cup Premiers
1993 - 2nd Grade Burke Cup Minor Premiers
1993 - 3rd Grade Whiddon Cup Premiers
1993 - Colts Barbour Cup Premiers
1992 Club Champions (Sydney 2nd Div)
1992 - 1st Grade Minor Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1992 - 4th Grade Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1991 Club Champions (Sydney 2nd Div)
1991 - 1st Grade Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div) [def UNSW 14-10]
1991 - 1st Grade Minor Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1991 - 3rd Grade Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1991 - 3rd Grade Minor Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1991 - 2nd Grade Runners Up (Sydney 2nd Div) [UNSW 3-17]
1991 - 4th Grade Semi-Finalists (Sydney 2nd Div)
1991 - Colts Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1991 - Colts Minor Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1990 - 1st Grade Minor Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1990 - 3rd Grade Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
1987 - 2nd Grade Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div) [def Warringah 8-7]
1972 - 4th Grade Runners Up (Sydney 2nd Div) [Bankstown 7-12]
1971 - 4th Grade Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div) [def Bankstown 14-11]
1968 - 3rd Grade Runners Up (Sydney 2nd Div) [Cantebury 6-12]
1966 Club Champions (Sydney 2nd Div)
1966 - 1st Grade Runners Up (Sydney 2nd Div) [Hawkesbury 0-22]
1966 - 2nd Grade Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div) [def Hawkesbury 9-6]
1966 - 2nd Grade Minor Premiers (Sydney 2nd Div)
The History of NSW Rugby
The twin histories of the city of Sydney and the sport of Rugby Union in the Southern Hemisphere are inextricably linked. Sydney was the first place in which the game of Rugby was played south of the equator, and probably the first place outside Britain.
From the very first game of Rugby on Australian soil, played at the Hyde Park Ground in 1865, to such occasions as Super Rugby semifinals down the road at the Sydney Football Stadium, Rugby has been synonymous with Sydney and vice-versa.
Sydney University Rugby Club, founded in 1863, is the oldest Rugby club outside of Britain. The NSWRU (The Southern RU) was established in 1874, well before the Unions of Ireland (1879), Wales (1880), South Africa (1889) and New Zealand (1892). Of the original clubs which took part in the very first club competition of 1874, Sydney University, Balmain (now called Drummoyne), Newington College and The King's School are still in existence.
By 1880, the NSWRU (SRU) controlled in excess of 100 clubs in the metropolitan area and in country NSW, with the senior body, the NSWRU, administering the game in all other areas of the State. The Glebe Club won all grades in that first year.
In 1882, the first NSW team was assembled to play Queensland in a two-match series. NSW won both matches. Later that year, the first NSW touring team was assembled to travel to New Zealand.
During the First World War of 1914-18, both the NSW and Queensland Rugby Unions ceased senior competitions for patriotic reasons and 80% of all NSWRU grade players enlisted. At Gallipoli and on the Somme, many were killed, including Major James MacManamey the President of the NSWRU (1915 Gallipoli).
The 1930s were a golden age for NSW Rugby, peaking with the defeat of the previously unbeaten Springboks in 1937. NSWRU teams also performed strongly through the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s thanks to the emergence of many stars of the game.
In 1963 the Sydney Rugby Union was formed to administer the growth of the game in the city and eventually in the 1990s, the NSW Waratahs entered the Super Six, Super Ten and Super 12 competitions. Country Rugby continued to flourish, NSW Schools Rugby was a key source of representative players, NSW Suburban Rugby provided the means by which Rugby enthusiasts express their keen desire to play and enjoy the game and NSW Women's Rugby experienced great popularity.
Suburban Rugby Cups - Division 2
"The Reliance Club Shield" was presented to the the SSDRU in 1983 for the Division Two Club Champions, by surviving members of the Reliance Club of Ashfield.
| Grade | Cup | History * |
1st | Barraclough | John Barraclough and H.H Barraclough presented this cup to the MSDRU in 1969 for a new one team competition that arose with the rapid increase of clubs at the time. In 1971, following a restructuring of sub-district rugby competitions, the Barraclough Cup headed the new sub-district second division, and continues to this day. |
2nd | Stockdale | Presented to the MSDRU by Ted Stockdale, a previous Secretary of the Union, in 1971, this cup was first won by AMP. |
3rd | Blunt | Donated in 1971 by ARU President Charles Blunt, who was patron of the MSDRU from 1965 to 1989. The cup was first won by Manly. |
4th | Richardson | Also introduced in 1971 by Denis Richardson of Sydney High Old Boys. Denis had been a past Secretary and was current chairman of the MSDRU. At the time this cup provided an extra competition for those second division clubs with extra teams, with the remainder of teams in the comp being one team clubs. By 1981, the Richardson Cup and second division was only available to four team sub-district clubs. |
Colts | Robertson | Named after former Suburban Chairman (1978-80), Brian Robertson, this cup was first won by Port Hacking. After not being contested between 1988-93, the Robertson Cup was revived to become the Colts trophy for second division. |
Suburban Rugby Cups - Division 1
Between 1921 and 1928 the Kentwell Cup premier team played the district reserve grade premier for the second grade premiership. In 1927, the Chatswood rugby club donated the Bruce Graham Shield for the winner of that contest. Since 1948, the Bruce Graham shield has been presented to the Division One Club Champions.
| Grade | Cup | History * |
1st | Kentwell | Since inception in 1923, the Kentwell Cup has been the pinnacle of Suburban Rugby. One of Suburban's two sterling silver Cups, the Kentwell Cup has great history and value. At the beginning of the 1923 season, W.H. Kentwell, president of the Mosman Rugby Club, presented the Kentwell Cup for perpetual competition in the second grade "B" division, or what was in fact the first grade of the non-district clubs at the time. Eight teams competed and, coincidentally, it was won by Mosman, with Hunters Hill the runners-up. |
2nd | Burke | The George Burke Memorial Cup was first presented by Mosman vice president Jas. A. Burke in 1924. It was won by Mosman in its inaugural year. |
3rd | Widdon | In 1933, Horace Whiddon presented the H.W. Whiddon Cup to the newly formed Metropolitan Sub-District Rugby Union (MSDRU) for the third grade sub-district competition. |
4th | Judd | In 1961 Harold Judd, patron of the North Cronulla Life Savers, presented to the MSDRU a new H.A. Judd Cup which became the fourth grade competition of the sub-district first division. |
Colts | Barbour | Under 21 Colts in Division One have contetsted the Barbour Cup, named after former suburban administrator David Barbour, since 1990. The Barbour Cup was included in the Division One Club Championship in 1996. |
* Cup histories courtesy of "The Game for the Game Itself - The History of Sub-District Rugby in Sydney"
In The Game for the Game Itself: The History of Sub-District Rugby in Sydney, respected sports historians Thomas Hickie and Anthony Hughes chronicle the development of the New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union. From the early union of teams into a club competition in 1901, through the bitter split into Rugby League and the terrible impact of the war years and the Great Depression, to the many intrigues that continue to this day and the impact of professionalism on Subbies. This is a riveting insight into the clubs that have been forged by people with common ideals and a celebration of all those in Subbies Rugby who revel in "the game for the game itself".