Founded in 1889, the Pleasant Point Rugby Club (often affectionately referred to as “Point”) is a hub for community sport in rural South Canterbury.
Based out of the picturesque Pleasant Point Domain, the club fields teams ranging from junior rippa rugby through to senior premier grades competing in the South Canterbury Rugby Football Union (SCRFU).
Key Historical Highlights
• Origins (1889): Organized rugby in the district began on August 22, 1889, when a Pleasant Point side played a team from the Timaru Crusaders.
• Entering Regional Competitions (1892): The club officially entered the South Canterbury Union’s Flag competition in 1892, recording its first competitive win later that year against Colonials.
• Junior Reserve Dominance: During the early-to-mid 20th century, Pleasant Point spent several decades as a powerhouse in the Junior Flag/Senior Reserve ranks, winning titles in 1915, 1921, 1922, and 1924.
• Modern Senior Return (1976): After brief periods in the senior Skinner Cup grade during the 1930s and 1940s, the club re-entered senior premier rugby permanently in 1976.
• Championship Breakthrough (2005): After several heart-wrenching final losses in the late 1980s and 1990s, the club achieved premier glory in 2005, lifting the Old Bank Shield as South Canterbury champions. They continued to be a title threat, reaching the Hamersley Cup finals in 2013, 2015, and 2016.
Jubilees & Facilities
• Home Ground Development: In the late 1970s, the club partnered with the local tennis club and council to build the modern clubrooms and changeroom complex at the Pleasant Point Domain, which remains the central hub for local match days.
• Centenary (1989) & 125th Jubilee (2014): Point celebrated 100 years of country rugby in 1989 (accompanied by the publication of their club history True Grit) and marked 125 years in 2014.
Notable Players & Figures
• Graeme Dempster: Selected for the inaugural Canterbury Crusaders Super Rugby squad in 1996 while playing first-five for Pleasant Point.
• Ben Hewitson: Selected for the NZ Heartland XV in 2009 after starring for South Canterbury.
• Alan Olds: Prominent club administrator who served on the New Zealand Rugby Union Executive from 1982 to 1990, including serving on the organizing committee for the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup.
