The Red Star Rugby Club was a founding pillars of grassroots rugby in Masterton and the Wairarapa region. Known for its working-class roots and rich history, the club operated for over a century before amalgamating with its cross-town rival to form the modern Masterton Red Star Rugby Football Club.
Key Historical Milestones
• Foundation (1885):
The club was officially established in Masterton in 1885. It became one of the original clubs competing in the local competition under the Wairarapa Rugby Union (which was formed a year later in 1886).
• Identity & Home Ground:
The club traditionally played in red jerseys and established its home base at Colombo Road and Memorial Park in Masterton.
• Local Dominance & Titles:
Throughout the 20th century, Red Star enjoyed numerous golden eras in the local Wairarapa and Wairarapa Bush competitions, winning multiple Senior A Championship titles.
• Centennial Jubilee (1985):
In 1985, the club celebrated 100 years of rugby, publishing a comprehensive 128-page centennial book documenting its foundational role in lower North Island rugby.
The 1996 Merger: Creating the RAMS
• Amalgamation with Masterton RFC:
In 1996, facing modern operational challenges and shifting player demographics, Red Star merged with its long-standing local rival, Masterton Rugby Club (est. 1876).
• Masterton Red Star:
The merger created the Masterton Red Star Rugby Club (affectionately known as the RAMS). The combined history of both constituent clubs boasts 43 Senior A Championship titles and 10 All Blacks.
• Modern Era:
Today, the club continues to carry forward the Red Star lineage through its active junior ranks (JAB) and senior sides operating out of Memorial Park under the Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union.
Published Histories
• Jubilee Souvenir 1885–1935 (1935) – by Ben Iveson (16 pages)
• Jubilee Souvenir – A Record of Seventy Five Years 1885–1960 (1960) – by Ben Iveson, R. Howard & C. Roys (40 pages)
• 100 Years of Rugby – Centennial 1885–1985 (1985) – by C. Roys, B. Wallis, J. Lawson & G. Hamilton (128 pages)
