The independent history of the Old Boys Rugby Club Whangarei spans nearly eight decades of success on the paddock before it laid down the foundation for one of Northland’s strongest modern club combinations.

Foundation (1922)

• Established: 1922

• The High School Roots: As was typical for “Old Boys” clubs across New Zealand, the club was formed by former students and affiliates of the local high school (Whangārei Boys’ High School) looking to continue playing rugby together in a structured senior competition.

• Affiliation: North Auckland Rugby Football Union (now known as the Northland Rugby Football Union).

Whangārei Old Boys quickly established themselves as a powerhouse in the local town competition, forging deep local rivalries with other historic northern sides like City, Hora Hora, and Hikurangi.

Milestones and Independent Legacy

The club maintained its independent identity through major eras of New Zealand grassroots rugby, meticulously documenting its progress through key anniversaries:

• 25th Silver Jubilee (1947): Celebrated right after the conclusion of World War II. The regional North Auckland rugby programme famously dedicated an entire special issue in June 1947 to charting Old Boys’ first quarter-century of history.

• 50th Golden Jubilee (1972): Marked by the publishing of the commemorative booklet, The First Fifty Years 1922–1972.

• 75th Anniversary (1997): Celebrated with The First Seventy Five Years 1922–1997 chronicle, right before structural changes transformed the club landscape.

The Amalgamation: Old Boys Marist (1998-1999)

By the late 1990s, changing socio-economic factors and shifting player numbers led the club to look to the future. To ensure long-term competitiveness and financial security, Whangārei Old Boys agreed to a merger.

• The Merger: Whangārei Old Boys unified with Marist RFC (Whangārei), a younger but highly energetic club that had been founded in 1988.

• The Result: The club became Old Boys Marist Rugby Football & Sports Club (OBM Whangārei).

The Centenary Era

Because the modern amalgamated club traces its lineage directly back to the 1922 founding of the original Whangārei Old Boys, the club officially celebrated its 100-Year Centenary in June 2022. A 24-page historical booklet compiled by Doug Smith was launched to bridge the gap between the original 1922 Old Boys pioneers and the modern premier squads playing at Pohe Island today.