Australian Schools Rugby Union

Sub-Union History

The Australian Schools Rugby Union history officially began in 1969 with the selection of the first-ever Australian Schoolboys team. This team undertook a groundbreaking tour to South Africa, a significant event that sparked the formal organization of schools rugby at a national level. The ASRU itself was formally established in 1971 as an independent, incorporated, not-for-profit association. Before this, school rugby in Australia was primarily managed at a local and state level, with a strong tradition in major private and public schools. The formation of the ASRU provided a national body to oversee representative rugby and create a structured pathway for talented schoolboy players. A key development in the ASRU’s history was the creation of the Australian Schools Rugby Championships. The first championship was held in 1973 and has taken place every year since. This tournament brings together representative teams from different states and territories to compete for the national title and, most importantly, to provide a platform for the selection of the Australian Schoolboys team. Over the years, the championships have evolved, with different divisions and trophies being introduced to accommodate the growth of the sport. The “Jika” Travers Shield is awarded to the Division I champion, while other competitions and trophies have been added to recognize various achievements. The Australian Schoolboys team is the pinnacle of schoolboy rugby in Australia. The team’s first tour in 1969 set a precedent for a long tradition of international fixtures. Subsequent tours, such as the one to the UK in 1973/74, solidified the team’s place in the international schools rugby landscape. Many of Australia’s greatest rugby players have come through the ASRU system. Over 200 players who have represented the Australian Schoolboys have gone on to play for the Wallabies, the national men’s team.

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Australian Schools Rugby Union Handbook

Sub Union:

Year published:

Author:

Page count:

Notes:

Australian Schools Rugby Union

1977

ASRU

200 pages

The Australian Schools Rugby Union Handbook was first published in 1977 and is produced annually. It averages around 200 pages and has printed card covers. These are rich with history and statistics and are much more than other provincial handbooks

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Australian Schools Rugby Union Handbook

Sub Union:

Australian Schools Rugby Union

Year:

1977

Author:

ASRU

Pages:

200 pages

Notes:

Sub-Union History