Club History

Rotorua High School Old Boys Rugby Club

The Rotorua High School Old Boys Rugby Club was a prominent local rugby union club based in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, operating for much of the 20th century.

Key Historical Highlights

1. Foundation & Early Years (1931)

• Origins: Established in 1931, the club was formed to provide a clear pathway into senior regional rugby for former students and leavers of Rotorua High School.

• Local Success: Operating under the Rotorua Sub-Union, Old Boys grew into a strong competitor in the central Bay of Plenty local competitions during the mid-20th century.

2. Golden Jubilee (1981)

• In 1981, the club celebrated its 50th Jubilee.

• To commemorate half a century of rugby, the club published a comprehensive 148-page history magazine detailing its championship teams, local administrators, and representative players who donned the Old Boys jersey.

3. Closure & Legacy (1990s)

• Winding Down: Facing changing demographics and shifting club structures in Rotorua during the professional transition of New Zealand rugby, the club went into decline and closed down in the early 1990s.

• Whakarewarewa Connection: Around 1995–1996, the neighbouring Whakarewarewa Rugby Club purchased the former High School Old Boys clubrooms and relocated their operations to the venue, keeping the physical home of the former club active for local rugby.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

50th Jubilee Year Commemorative Rugby Magazine 1931 – 1981

Club:
Year published:
Author:
Page count:
Notes:
Rotorua High School Old Boys Rugby Club
1981
Not stated
148 pages
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

50th Jubilee Year Commemorative Rugby Magazine 1931 – 1981

Club:
Rotorua High School Old Boys Rugby Club
Year:
1981
Author:
Not stated
Pages:
148 pages
Notes:
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

1985 Rotorua Club Grand Finals Programme – page 9

Club:
Year published:
Author:
Page count:
Notes:
Rotorua High School Old Boys Rugby Club
1985
Not stated
24 pages
The 1985 Rotorua Rugby Club Grand Final programme includes the championship winners from 1938 to 1984 and also a page on the history of every senior rugby club in Rotorua at that time
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

1985 Rotorua Club Grand Finals Programme – page 9

Club:
Rotorua High School Old Boys Rugby Club
Year:
1985
Author:
Not stated
Pages:
24 pages
Notes:
The 1985 Rotorua Rugby Club Grand Final programme includes the championship winners from 1938 to 1984 and also a page on the history of every senior rugby club in Rotorua at that time