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Grafton Rugby Union Club |
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| Sunday, 29 January 2012 |  |
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Grafton Rugby Club History History of the Grafton Rugby Union Football Club - The Redmen Rugby Union in the Clarence Valley focusing around Grafton commenced in 1888 with the formation of two union clubs called Carltons and Rugbys and a loose competition slowly grew. In 1895 Southgate and Ramornie withdrew from the competition only later to reform as South Grafton Uniteds who played against the Grafton Wallaroos. In 1898 the Clarence River Rugby Football Association was formed comprising teams from Grafton, and further afield including Brushgrove Maclean Southgate and Harwood. Later this same year a branch of the NSW Rugby Union was formed in Grafton based around this competition. In 1914 only three teams existed including South Grafton United, Westerns (Grafton) and Federals (Grafton). The competition dwindled away after the commencement of the professional rugby league code in 1915. Later in the 1927 rugby union was rekindled with a rugby league breakaway club called the South Grafton and District Football Club. The Clarence River Rugby Football Union comprising a number of clubs was revived until 1932. Interest in rugby union dwindled with the competing pressures of the league code. In the 1960's, the success of the rugby union code internationally and on the NSW North Coast reignited an interest in rugby union on the Clarence. Despite adverse criticism and pressure from rugby league 'die hards', the Grafton Rugby Union Football Club was formed in February 1969 supported by former Wallaby Bruce Judd and family who lived in Grafton. The Club's first coach was a founding member and club stalwart Andrew Pollack, with team captain Stan Pitkin and President Dick Roberts. The competition included teams from Lismore Brothers, Lismore City and Casino. The club adopted the red and white colours of the South Grafton Uniteds side that played in the early 1900's. The red and white hoops are still incorporated within the jersey today. Grafton made the Grand Final in it's first year but went down to Lismore Marist Brothers 13 - 0. In the 1970's the competition expanded to include teams from Coffs Harbour, Richmond Range Yamba and Byron Bay. A deep playing rivalry developed between Grafton and Coffs Harbour in the mid 1970's and 1980's when Coffs were at their pinnacle with several intense end of season battles. From inception in 1969 a highly successful knockout carnival was established and played each year into the early 1980's. The carnival attracted teams from Brisbane and Sydney, NSW Country and a number of State and International players of the 1970's and 80's such as the Ella brothers. The term 'Redmen' grew in the 1980's and is thought to have come from the colour of the jersey during this period which temporally changed to all red, or a blood colour. In the late 1980's the Far North Coast and Mid North Coast Zones were formed and the Grafton "Redmen" moved into the FNC zone with such sides from Ballina, Casino, Lismore, Byron Bay and Southern Cross Uni. The Clarence Valley Schools Rugby Union was formed in 1994 focusing on junior development in school programs. Women's rugby was short lived in 1995 to 1997 with a team called the Redbacks in a competition including teams from Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Kempsey. Grafton produced an Australian Women's Rugby Union representative in Kristy Frogley. Grafton Rugby Football Club has been a strong club with player depth; winning club championships 7 times, first grade premiers 3 times, second and third grade 5 times a piece and under 19's once. The club has seen a number of Province, NSW Country and State representatives including tough forwards such as Peter Benson (1970 to 1980 & NSW Country), Michael Brookes (1974 to 1992 & Northern Province) Frank Ryan (1981 to 1985 & NSW Country) Xavier Sullivan (1997 to 1998 & Australian U/16's) Ray Collie (over 300 games) and skillful backs such as Peter Tonkin (1986 to 1994 & NSW B's), Martin Tanner (1990 to present & NSW Country), Don Page (mid 1970's & NSW Country) to name a few. Over the years Grafton have developed a reputation for playing the game in a tough and hard manner. This has also spilled over into the off field social activities which try to foster a culture of mateship within the Club and warm camaraderie amongst visiting teams. |
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