Club History

Alton Rugby Club

Alton Rugby Club was established and played their first game in June 1888. They were originally known as Ball Road Football Team. Matches played in the early days in the paddock where the factory houses now stand. Then later on A J Gibbs farm. In 1963 the house on Dale Street formerly used by Glenny’s carriers was gifted to Alton Football Club and became their Club rooms (now Playgroup building). Alton was registered through the Patea Rugby Association. The colours registered were in 1946 Royal Blue and Gold Hoops and socks, with white collars on the Jerseys, and with white shorts (Bay of Plenty colours now). Later, around the early 1960’s after a disagreement with Patea officials the Club affiliated with Hawera, probably to the end. The colours changed to maroon with white shorts, then later yellow shorts. Alton Club played their last game as a team in 1984. In 2015 the Club rooms were sold to Alton and Districts playgroup for $1, officially handed over by Ivan Schultz. Ivan had been the secretary of the Club for decades.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Alton – The History of a Settlement

Club:
Year published:
Author:
Page count:
Notes:
Alton Rugby Club
2022
Jacq Dwyer
263 pages
Wonderful book on the Alton settlement, written by Jacq Dwyer, President of the Patea Historical Society. Detailing every aspect of the community and history of Alton, there are 9 pages devoted to the Alton Rugby Club, plus 2 pages to the Alton Womens Rugby Team. Thank you to Jacq Dwyer for permission to use material from her book.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Alton – The History of a Settlement

Club:
Alton Rugby Club
Year:
2022
Author:
Jacq Dwyer
Pages:
263 pages
Notes:
Wonderful book on the Alton settlement, written by Jacq Dwyer, President of the Patea Historical Society. Detailing every aspect of the community and history of Alton, there are 9 pages devoted to the Alton Rugby Club, plus 2 pages to the Alton Womens Rugby Team. Thank you to Jacq Dwyer for permission to use material from her book.