West Australia Rugby Union

Provincial History

The West Australia Rugby Union history is a long and storied one, with roots stretching back to the late 19th century. The sport has faced periods of popularity, decline, and revival, ultimately growing into the vibrant community it is today. Rugby’s origins in Western Australia can be traced to informal matches played by British military regiments and local civilians. By the late 1870s, it had become the most popular football code in the state, with several clubs competing in organized competitions. The sport’s early dominance was challenged by the rise of Australian rules football. Several leading rugby clubs, including the Fremantle club, switched codes, and the game’s popularity waned significantly. Despite the decline, a small number of clubs persevered, leading to the formation of the Western Australian Rugby Union (WARU), now known as RugbyWA. This makes it one of Australia’s oldest rugby governing bodies. The inaugural club competition began in 1895 with four teams: I Zingari, Fremantle, Swans, and Midland Junction Club. From 1905-1927, rugby union in Western Australia entered a period of decline and a hiatus, with the competition ceasing for a number of years. In 1928, the game was revived, with four new clubs (Wanderers, Rangers, Wallabies, and Fremantle) restarting the First-Grade club competition. Rugby in Western Australia has seen significant growth and development. The governing body has played a crucial role in fostering both grassroots and high-performance rugby. RugbyWA now oversees a wide range of competitions, including the Fortescue Premier Grade, and supports a community of over 35 clubs and thousands of players across all ages and genders. The sport holds the record for the highest attendance of any football code in the state, with 61,241 spectators at a Bledisloe Cup match in 2019

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A Brief History of the Western Australian Rugby Union

Province:

Year published:

Author:

Page count:

Notes:

West Australia Rugby Union

1993

Not stated

16 pages

Small 16-page history to commemorate the centenary of the Western Australian Rugby Union. Printed card covers

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

A Brief History of the Western Australian Rugby Union

Province:

West Australia Rugby Union

Year:

1993

Author:

Not stated

Pages:

16 pages

Notes:

Small 16-page history to commemorate the centenary of the Western Australian Rugby Union. Printed card covers

Provincial History