The Old Boys Rugby Club Westport is a historic and deeply rooted pillar of the rugged Buller Rugby Football Union (BRFU). Located in the coastal township of Westport on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, the club has fought proudly as an independent entity in one of the country’s smallest and most passionate provincial unions.
Foundation (1926)
• Established: 1926
• Club Colours: Traditionally recognized by their distinctive White jerseys.
• Home Base: Domett Street, Westport.
The club was founded during the golden age of West Coast coal mining and industrial expansion, providing a fierce local sporting outlet alongside long-standing cross-town rivals like Westport RFC (founded 1886) and White Star RFC (founded 1898).
Local Dominance and Championships
Old Boys established themselves as a hard-nosed, uncompromising forward-centric country rugby club, fitting the legendary “Buller style” of play.
Over nearly a century of competition, the club has claimed 7 outright Buller Senior Shield (Premier Club Championship) titles. Additionally, during periods of player shortages and demographics shifts, Old Boys successfully partnered with their rivals to win another 6 titles as the combined White Star–Old Boys entity.
Major Milestones & Publications
The club’s proud heritage has been meticulously preserved over the decades through several commemorative publications:
• Silver Jubilee (1926–1951): Celebrated 25 years with a 40-page history chronicle.
• Golden Jubilee (1926–1976): Commemorated 50 years of independent local rugby.
• 75th Anniversary (1926–2001): Marked by the launch of the definitive club history book, “Come On White – Old Boys Rugby Club Westport 1926–2001”, written by Norman Crawshaw.
Notable Connections
While small, the club has played an immense role in fueling the Buller Provincial Representative team, which famously contests the Seddon Shield and the Rundle Cup (the oldest contested provincial trophy in New Zealand rugby outside the Ranfurly Shield), and competes in the national Heartland Championship.
The club also famously helped develop local legends like Mike Gilbert, who played out of Westport Old Boys to make his senior Buller debut as a 19-year-old in 1930 before going on to become a celebrated 1935–1936 All Black fullback.
The Modern Era
Today, Old Boys RFC remains highly active, operating out of their hub in Westport. They continue to buck the modern trend of permanent rural club mergers by maintaining an independent Senior Men’s squad in the local Buller Premier competition (as well as combined Buller/West Coast crossover competitions). Furthermore, the club runs a thriving Junior Advisory Board (JAB) rugby system, ensuring the next generation of West Coast kids proudly wear the “White” jersey.
