The West Harbour rugby club was founded in 1900 as the Western Suburbs District Rugby Union Football Club, following the amalgamation of the Burwood and Concord rugby clubs. In its early days, the club’s boundaries were expansive, encompassing areas from the harbor to the Blue Mountains. This geographical reach was later reduced as other clubs like Parramatta and Eastwood joined the competition. The club’s name was officially changed to Western Suburbs to secure a lease on St. Luke’s Oval (which would later become Concord Oval).

Western Suburbs found early success, winning the Sydney Premiership in just its third year of existence, in 1902. The club secured its second and final premiership to date in 1929. The period between the World Wars was a “golden era” for the club, as it consistently performed well and produced numerous international players.

The club faced significant challenges in the mid-20th century, including being relegated to the second division in 1952 and again in 1980. However, it was promoted back to the topflight in 1966 and 1981, showing its resilience.

In 1995, the club changed its name to the West Harbour Rugby Football Club to better reflect its location in the inner west of Sydney and its proximity to the harbor. The club adopted the nickname “The Pirates” and the colours of black, white, and red.