In the rugby history of Gisborne and the Poverty Bay region, a common point of confusion is the existence of two completely separate “Old Boys” clubs.
Gisborne Old Boys Rugby Club — is the historical entity that eventually merged with Marist, distinct from the still-active Gisborne High School Old Boys (HSOB) club.
The Founding (1919)
The Gisborne Old Boys Rugby Club was officially formed in 1919 (though preliminary planning meetings had taken place as early as 1913, put on hold by World War I).
Unlike other school-specific clubs, Gisborne Old Boys was built with a broader focus: it was established to house past students returning to the region from Gisborne High School, secondary schools outside the district, and those returning home from universities across New Zealand. They played in a signature navy blue strip.
Growth and the 1939 Merger
The club was a staple of the Poverty Bay club competition throughout the mid-20th century. A major defining moment for the local competition came in 1939. Facing dwindling numbers across several smaller clubs as economic pressures and the shadow of World War II loomed, Gisborne Old Boys absorbed two smaller local teams—Pirates and Waiau—to stabilize and strengthen their footprint in the local premier division.
In 1969, the club proudly celebrated its Golden Jubilee, printing a 16-page souvenir history program to mark 50 years of rural and township rugby.
The 1996 Amalgamation: Becoming OBM
As community sports clubs faced demographic shifts in the late 20th century, Gisborne Old Boys decided to combine forces with their fierce neighborhood and cross-town rivals, Gisborne Marist.
In 1996, the two clubs formally amalgamated to create Old Boys Marist (OBM) Gisborne. Today, they play out of The Oval in Gisborne, wearing a jersey that combines the blue and white of Old Boys with the red accents of Marist.
Clearing up the Confusion: The “Other” Old Boys
Because they shared similar names, it’s highly common to mistake Gisborne Old Boys for their local counterparts:
• High School Old Boys (HSOB) Gisborne: Formed slightly later in 1925 strictly by members of the 1924 Gisborne High School 1st XV who wanted to play together. Famous for their iconic blue and white hoops and producing legendary All Blacks like Richard “Tiny” White, HSOB never merged and remains a powerhouse standalone club in the Poverty Bay premier competition today.
