The Bunnythorpe Rugby Club is a historic, semi-rural community club located in the village of Bunnythorpe, just 10 minutes north of Palmerston North. Competing under the Manawatu Rugby Union, it is a tight-knit club that recently celebrated its centenary.
The Prequel: The Huia Club (1898)
Rugby was first organized in the Bunnythorpe area before the turn of the 20th century.
In 1898, a local schoolteacher named Mr. Lyall formed the Huia Club.
Among its earliest players were the Coldstream brothers, who would later move on to become foundation members of Palmerston North’s famous Kia Toa club.
Rugby in Work Boots: The Huia Club folded after a few seasons, but local games continued against neighboring settlements like Hiwinui and Colyton. The early conditions were famously rugged: the grounds were incredibly rough, players wore ordinary work boots instead of boots with studs, and they had to roll their long winter underpants up above their knees so they wouldn’t stick out from under their rugby shorts.
Official Foundation & The Maroon Shift (1922)
The club as it exists today was formally founded in 1922.
The Colors: When the club first kicked off, the members originally chose green as their official playing color. However, just three years later in 1925, they permanently switched to their iconic maroon strip, which they still wear today.
Home Ground: The club operates out of the Bunnythorpe Recreation Ground on Raymond Street, acting as the primary sports hub for the local rural community.
Modern Eras & Centenary
Bunnythorpe has managed to survive and maintain its identity as a classic New Zealand country club while many other small-town clubs have been forced to amalgamate with larger urban entities.
The Milestones: The club celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1971, followed by its massive Centenary (100 Years) in 2022, marked by the publication of a dedicated club history book.
Expanding Horizons: In 2012, the club expanded beyond rugby by introducing netball teams under the Bunnythorpe banner.
The Wolfpack: Today, the senior competitive side is affectionately known locally as the “Wolfpack” (competing in the Manawatu Senior 3rds division), running alongside their vibrant Presidents (veterans) and junior grassroots teams.
