The East Coast Bays Rugby Club (often affectionately known just as “Bays”) is one of the most prominent and historically successful rugby clubs on Auckland’s North Shore.
1946–1953: Humble Beginnings
The club was founded in 1946 to provide rugby for the then-sparsely populated East Coast Bays area, which had a population of only around 5,000 people.
Early Facilities: In the early days at Browns Bay Domain, the club had almost no infrastructure. Players used two war-surplus army huts as changing rooms, washed off in a surrounding stormwater drain, and had to carry water from neighbors’ houses just to make post-match tea and cocoa.
The First Leagues: The club initially played in the Kaipara Sub Union competition wearing white jerseys.
1954–1984: Establishing the Green and Black
As the North Shore population grew, the club sought closer ties to Auckland.
The Colors: After briefly affiliating through the Northcote Birkenhead club, East Coast Bays adopted its iconic emerald green and black hooped jerseys.
Moving to Windsor Park: In 1954, the club secured a lease on Crown land in Mairangi Bay that would become Windsor Park. Volunteer labor worked weekends to erect a 90×60-foot training shed, building the literal foundation of today’s modern clubrooms.
Auckland Affiliation: Granted direct affiliation with the Auckland Rugby Football Union (ARFU) in 1954, the club slowly worked its way up the grades, finally earning promotion to the ARFU Division One in 1979 after winning the Pollard Cup.
1985–Present: A North Harbour Powerhouse
A massive turning point came in 1985 with the establishment of the North Harbour Rugby Union. East Coast Bays left the Auckland Union to become a founding member of North Harbour.
Immediate Dominance: Bays proved to be an immediate heavyweight in the new union, winning back-to-back Premier 1 Championships in 1985 and 1986. They took the title again in 1991 and 2019.
75th Anniversary Milestone: In 2021, the club celebrated its 75th anniversary in style, sweeping championships across multiple grades (including the Under 21s and Under 85kg) and being named the North Harbour Rugby Union Club of the Year.
Modern Setup: Today, the club is a 50% stakeholder in the Windsor Park Community and Multisport Hub, sharing top-tier facilities with the East Coast Bays Cricket Club. It is widely recognized as one of the largest and healthiest clubs in the region, boasting over 200 senior players, 550+ junior players, and a thriving non-tackle “Rippa Rugby” system.
Famous Alumni & Honours
East Coast Bays has a rich history of producing international talent. Some of the club’s most notable representatives include:
All Blacks: Ian Jones, Nick Evans, Ant Strachan, Liam Barry, and Mark Robinson.
Black Ferns: Charmaine Smith, Chelsea Alley, Becky Wood, Christo Tofa, Pia Tapsell, and Olivia Ward-Dunn.
Super Rugby & International: Numerous players have gone on to represent Super Rugby franchises (such as the Blues and Crusaders) or modern international sides, including England representative Ethan Roots.
Peter Thorburn: The legendary former All Blacks selector and North Harbour coach was a highly revered figure heavily tied to the club’s history.
