Rangers Rugby Club

Club History

The Rangers Rugby Club is a historically rich country club based in the Moutere Hills area near Motueka, playing out of the Upper Moutere Domain under the Tasman Rugby Union.

Key Historical Milestones

• Origins & Early Struggles (Pre-1955):

Following World War II, rural country areas near Motueka—including Upper Moutere, Tasman, Dovedale, and Ngatimoti—struggled to field standalone rugby teams independently due to small player numbers. In 1949, Dovedale and Ngatimoti merged to form the Central Rugby Club.

• The Players’ Uprising (1954):

By 1954, discussions began between the Tasman, Upper Moutere, and Central clubs about a complete 3-way amalgamation. Club administrators resisted the idea, but the players took matters into their own hands. During a joint road trip to play a match against Murchison, players from all three districts hit it off and agreed to join forces. Shortly after, at a legendary meeting in the Neudorf Hall, playing members voted unanimously for amalgamation despite official hesitation.

• Official Formation (January 26, 1955):

The club was officially founded on 26 January 1955 as a club “formed by the players, for the players”. The name “Rangers” was chosen over “Rovers” by a 60% majority vote.

• Colors & Home Ground:

The club established its base at the Upper Moutere Domain and adopted distinct orange jerseys featuring a black stripe and black collar.

Club Identity & Modern Era

• Community Role:

Rangers has earned a long-standing reputation as a tough, spirited, and community-focused country rugby club.

• Grassroots & Junior Pathway:

Today, Rangers continues to thrive at the grassroots level—particularly through its active Junior Rugby Football (JAB) teams and touch rugby competitions based out of the Moutere Hills Community Centre, regularly competing against neighboring Motueka district clubs like Huia and Riwaka.

Published History
Title: Twenty Fifth Jubilee Celebration 1955–1980: Rangers Rugby Club (1980) by Rob Smeaton
A rare 15-page historical account compiled for the club’s 25th anniversary, detailing the founding era and early provincial players (preserved in the NZ Rugby Museum archive).

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Twenty Fifth Jubilee Celebration 1955 – 1980

Club:

Year published:

Author:

Page count:

Notes:

Rangers Rugby Club

1980

Rob Smeaton

15 pages

This is a 15-page hand typed record of the 25th jubilee of the Rangers rugby club. Very few were produced and is extremely rare. Thanks to Ruby Aberhart for donating a copy to The NZ Rugby Museum

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Twenty Fifth Jubilee Celebration 1955 – 1980

Club:

Rangers Rugby Club

Year:

1980

Author:

Rob Smeaton

Pages:

15 pages

Notes:

This is a 15-page hand typed record of the 25th jubilee of the Rangers rugby club. Very few were produced and is extremely rare. Thanks to Ruby Aberhart for donating a copy to The NZ Rugby Museum

Club History