New Zealand Rugby History

The Published
Histories of New Zealand
Rugby Football

Club History
Provincial History
Sub-Union History
References
Club History
Provincial History
Sub-Union History
References

The All Blacks are renowned for their success and their mana. For over 100 years they have compiled a success ratio that is greater than any other sports team in history. While there are countless books, articles, and history on the All Blacks, little is recorded about the Rugby clubs that have produced the All Blacks and Black Ferns. They are referred to as the grassroots level or more accurately, the engine room. This site is dedicated to those clubs, past and present.

Club History

Nelson Football Club was formed in 1868 and changed to Rugby rules in 1870, this becoming the first Rugby club in New Zealand (currently under debate).

Provincial History

1879 ranks as one of the most memorable in New Zealand Rugby history, for it was during that period that the first Unions were founded, one Union in each island as the season closed.

Sub-Union History

Sub-Union Rugby matches in New Zealand are among the most fiercely contested of all matches played. To proudly say that you have taken part in a sub-union game is like having a test cap.

References

The first reference book on New Zealand Rugby History is The New Zealand Rugby Football Annual 1885 by S E Sleigh (Vice President of the Dunedin Football Club).
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Club History

Nelson Football Club was formed in 1868 and changed to Rugby rules in 1870, this becoming the first Rugby club in New Zealand (currently under debate).
READ MORE

Provincial History

1879 ranks as one of the most memorable in New Zealand Rugby history, for it was during that period that the first Unions were founded, one Union in each island as the season closed.
READ MORE

Sub-Union History

Sub-Union Rugby matches in New Zealand are among the most fiercely contested of all matches played. To proudly say that you have taken part in a sub-union game is like having a test cap.
READ MORE

References

The first reference book on New Zealand Rugby History is The New Zealand Rugby Football Annual 1885 by S E Sleigh (Vice President of the Dunedin Football Club).
READ MORE

The Published Histories
of New Zealand
Rugby Football

Since Nelson formed the first Rugby club in 1870, there have been hundreds of Rugby clubs formed, and most of them no longer exist. Many folded through lack of finances, player numbers, volunteers, and the change of the New Zealand demographics. Many clubs have amalgamated with neighbouring clubs to sustain their existence. All these clubs were built by committee members, players, volunteers, referee’s, Zam Buk’s, ball boys and families.
When these clubs attained a milestone, whether a special year, or a successful season, often one or two enthusiastic members, usually life members, would produce a booklet to commemorate the occasion and these would include the history of the club and all the officers, players and special members who have made that club what it is. These can range from a simple fold over card to an elaborate 200+ plus page book.
For many clubs, these booklets are all that remains of the club and its history, and these booklets are becoming very scarce. This site is a record of the written histories of these clubs and provinces, to ensure that the history is registered and preserved. This will ensure that every club has its written records registered on this site and stored at the New Zealand Rugby Museum.

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© 2024 NZ RUGBY HISTORY
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT BY BLOOM DIGITAL
WEBSITE DESIGN BY LITTLE GEM DESIGN