The Silverdale United Rugby Club (often simply referred to as Silverdale or The Dale) is one of the largest and most vibrant community sports clubs on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast. Playing in green and white, the club has a history stretching back to the late 19th century.
1. Early Roots: Wade & Orewa (1880s–1930s)
• Late 19th Century: Rugby was recorded in the district as early as 1887, when matches were played between the Orewa Rugby Club and the Wade Rugby Club (Silverdale was originally named The Wade until 1911).
• Kaipara Union & Formal Foundation: Around 1930, the club organized under the name Silverdale Rugby Club. Because transport options were limited and roads were rough clay tracks, Silverdale played under the Kaipara Rugby Sub-Union alongside rural sides toward Helensville and Kaukapakapa. Early games were literally played in cow paddocks.
2. Re-formation & The Birth of “United” (1946–1963)
• Post-War Revival: After going into recess during World War II, a local town meeting was called in 1946 to reform the club and re-enter Kaipara competitions.
• 1963 Amalgamation: The Kaipara Rugby Union dissolved after the 1962 season. On February 9, 1963, members from Silverdale and nearby Kaukapakapa held a meeting to amalgamate and form Silverdale United Rugby Football Club.
• Auckland Rugby Union: This unification allowed the newly formed Silverdale United to gain direct affiliation to the Auckland Rugby Union, stepping up to compete in metropolitan Auckland leagues for the first time.
3. Move to North Harbour & First Championship
• North Harbour Union (1985): In 1985, when the North Harbour Rugby Union was carved out as an independent provincial body, Silverdale United became one of its founding constituent clubs.
• Maiden Premier Title (2003): Silverdale achieved a historic milestone in 2003 by winning its first-ever North Harbour Premier Championship, edging out North Shore 25–23 in a thrilling final.
4. Modern Era & Legacy
• Home Base: The club’s headquarters and fields are based at Silverdale War Memorial Park.
• Massive Junior Base: Backed by rapid population growth along the Hibiscus Coast, Silverdale has grown into one of the largest rugby clubs in New Zealand in terms of player registration, regularly fielding over 700 junior players across various age grades alongside senior sides.
