Club History
Contents
The Original Concept
Objects Of The Club
Club Premises
The Home Of The True Spirit Of Rugby
The Original Concept
The concept of establishing a Rugby Club first evolved on 9 October 1943 when New South Wales Rugby Union appointed a provisional committee to investigate whether the idea was feasible. The committee decided it was and events subsequently moved as swiftly as wartime privations allowed.
On 14 February 1944 the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Club were finalised.
Prospective members were to be offered two kinds of membership, namely Foundation and Foundation Life membership.
In June 1944 Judge Leslie Herron (later Sir Leslie Herron, Chief Justice of New South Wales) issued a letter, which was circulated to all rugby enthusiasts in New South Wales, regarding the formation of the Rugby Club of New South Wales under the direction of the New South Wales Rugby Union.
The letter opened by stating:
‘In the years during which the Union has been in existence, there exists no place to mark the headquarters of the game in New South Wales and it has therefore been decided to establish a clubhouse for New South Wales Rugby Union. The decision is not a hasty one but the result of much consideration. It results from a desire to have a permanent, central meeting place for supporters of the amateur game and to provide congenial surroundings where rugby enthusiasts may gather.
Many feel also that the present administrative offices of the Union are below the standard required by the status of the game in this state and of the officials who transact your business there and it is hoped to combine the necessary offices and rooms for the sporting and social activities of the Club under the one roof. To have a centre at which our country and interstate visitors and overseas rugby representatives can meet us is thought to be most desirable.”
Judge Herron also noted that the Club would "be a worthy memorial to our members who have made the supreme sacrifice for the Empire and to past generations of players and officials".
Judge Herron was one of a number of prominent Sydney people who helped get the Club off the ground. Various politicians, city aldermen and leading businessmen lent support. Former players were also active in promoting the concept. The provisional committee established to oversee the Club’s formation included the former test hooker John “Jock” Blackwood, the former test backrower John Breckenridge, the former NSW player, official and referee, Bill Hill, and the former test backrower Arnold Tancred.
By August 1945 157 people had joined as Foundation members and 81 as Foundation Life members, which was a sufficient number to enable the committee to take the final step and bring the Club into being.
On 29 August 1945 the Club was incorporated as Rugby Union Club.
The first General Meeting of members commenced at 7.45 pm on Monday, 15 October 1945 in the Chamber of Manufacturers’ office in O’Connell Street, Sydney.
On 14 July 1982 the Club changed its name to Rugby Club Limited.
Objectives of the Club
The objectives for which the Club was established included:
a) to promote social intercourse and good fellowship amongst players of, and persons interested in, rugby football.
b) to consider and discuss, and when deemed advisable, to take an active part in any questions affecting the wellbeing of the game of rugby football and the literary, artistic, scientific and educational interests thereof.
c) to render financial aid, either by gifts or loans, to other Rugby Unions and/or Branch, Sub District. Junior or other Unions; Rugby Clubs or any Rugby body or association affiliated to, associated with, or recognised by New South Wales Rugby Union.
Those objectives remain unchanged in the current Constitution of the Club.
Club Premises
In early 1946 the Club negotiated to buy premises at 18-20 York Street, Sydney but the deal fell through. The Club then established itself in the Lambs Building, 32 Jamieson Street, Sydney. In 1949, Some six years after New South Wales Rugby Union had appointed a provisional committee to investigate the feasibility of establishing a Rugby Club (9 October 1943) the Australian Rugby Football Union (now Australian Rugby Union) was formed and occupied offices in the Rugby Club building.
In 1953, when Club membership stood at 645, the Club finally found a permanent home. The Club bought the Bacon’s Building in Crane Place for £30,462 and after renovations were completed, equipped the 3rd floor as Clubrooms.
The Rugby Club provided accommodation for New South Wales Rugby Union until 1991.
“The Home Of The True Spirit Of Rugby”
Towards the end of 1953 the Club’s President, Charles Moses (later Sir Charles), declared to members:
“This coming year will see us well settled in our new home. Let’s all join in our determination to make it a real, vital headquarters of the True Spirit of Rugby”.
During the ensuring years the Rugby Club has played a significant role in the consolidation of the game of rugby and in spreading and strengthening the influence of the game throughout Australia.
The Club continues to fulfil this important role.
President: Bruce G Hayman
Vice President: Angus J Bruxner
Treasurer: Mark Hartill
Directors: Kenneth F Cropper, Greg Quirk , Peter Friend,
Ron Latham, Matthew Bonser, Ross Hazlett, Peter Whittington
Chief Executive Officer: Shaun McPhee
Auditors: Harley Russell & Day