The Christchurch Football Club (CFC) holds a monumental place in sports history: founded in 1863, it is the oldest rugby club in New Zealand and arguably the oldest continuously operating rugby club in the entire world.
Known affectionately as “The Old Club” or “The Axemen,” its history tracks the evolution of rugby from a chaotic, rule-bending pastime into a highly structured global sport.
1. The Historical Catalyst (1863)
Before the club officially existed, a historic “football” match took place in Latimer Square in August 1863. It pitted a 22-a-side team from Christ’s College against the “Gentlemen of Christchurch.” The grueling battle lasted two hours and ended in a 1-1 draw.
Energized by the match, a group of local sports enthusiasts—led heavily by Richard J.S. Harman—met on September 3, 1863, to officially establish the Christchurch Football Club.
2. The “Hybrid Rules” Era
When the club first kicked off, modern rugby union rules didn’t exist. Instead, the club played a highly localized, hybrid version of football that combined elements of traditional English public school games (like soccer and rugby) and Victorian Rules (which later became Australian Rules football).
Teams initially played 22-a-side.
A local rule required players to bounce the ball every five yards while running.
The club didn’t actually transition to official, standard rugby union rules until 1874, when a local enthusiast named Kindersley Camilo Montague Lewin (who had been educated in England) convinced the club to abandon its hybrid game. Lewin’s push for rugby was largely a strategic “pre-emptive strike” to stop Australian Rules football from gaining a permanent foothold in Canterbury.
3. Helping Birth New Zealand Rugby (1879)
Once Christchurch Football Club adopted rugby rules, the sport exploded in popularity across the region. In July 1879, Christchurch FC delegates traveled to Timaru to help establish the Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU)—the very first provincial rugby union in New Zealand (alongside Wellington).
Despite being a founding force locally, Christchurch FC and the wider Canterbury region initially resisted joining the national New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) when it formed in 1892, preferring local control. Bowing to pressure so they could play international teams, Canterbury finally affiliated in 1894.
4. Why “The Axemen”?
The club’s famous moniker and distinctive logo feature crossed axes. This identity dates back to the club’s early decades when New Zealand was still being heavily cleared by European settlers. The “Axemen” name came to symbolize the traits prized by the club: physical toughness, relentless hard work, and a willingness to “chop down” any opponent in their path.
5. An All Black Production Line
Christchurch Football Club is a massive pillar of New Zealand’s representative rugby system. From its base at Christchurch Park on Maitland Street, the club has produced:
34 All Blacks (including 5 All Black captains).
Over 230 senior players who have worn the red-and-black jersey for the Canterbury provincial team.
Legendary names spanning generations have worn the CFC colors, from pioneering early figures like Bob Deans to modern professional-era stars like Mark Mayerhofler.
Today, over 160 years after its first meeting, the Christchurch Football Club continues to field premier men’s, women’s, and junior teams, carrying the proud title of the foundation stone of New Zealand rugby.
