Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union


The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union is one of Australia's oldest rugby union organisations, with a history dating back to the mid 19th century. The union is based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
WWW nhru.com.au

History

The earliest report of a football match in Newcastle was in 1860, when 'a lover of the old English games has offered one of Mrs. O’Hagan's most fashionable bonnets as a prize to the fortunate party who shall give the winning kick in a game of foot-ball, to be played on the new cricket ground, near St. John's Church. On 5 June 1869, the Volunteer Artillery team challenged United Cricket Club to a football match. The game was played over two weekends in Centennial Park. The first recorded football club playing to the 'rugby rules' in the district was the Albion Football Club, established in 1872 in West Maitland. On 1 May 1877, a meeting at 'Ship Inn' saw the foundation of Newcastle Football Club. 1877 also saw the formation of the Wallsend Club.
A precursor to the formation of a local union, the Raysmith Challenge Cup was commenced in 1887 and was contested by Newcastle, Waratah, Advance, Orientals, Union, Ferndale, West Maitland, Raymond Terrace, East Maitland Imperial, Singleton and East Maitland clubs. In 1888, a meeting of Newcastle, Advance, West Maitland, Union and Ferndale Clubs saw a branch of the Southern Rugby Football established, this was known as the Northern Branch. This was the formation of what would become the Newcastle Rugby Union. Early clubs in the competition included Advance ; West Maitland ; Oriental ; Union ; Ferndale ; Waratah ; Raymond Terrace ; Carlton ; Centennial ; Lambton ; Wickham Albion and Greta.
In 1911, the Northern Branch disbanded but was reformed in 1912 to be known as the Newcastle Rugby Union. During 1915–1924, little rugby was played due to World War I and its aftermath. After a match between Great Public Schools Old Boys and Newcastle High School Old Boys at Empire Park in 1924, a decision was made to reform the Newcastle Rugby Union; this was beginning of the current Premier Rugby Competition. The 1925 competition comprised Cook's Hill Old Boys, Newcastle High School Old Boys, Great Public Schools' Old Boys ,'' Lysaght's Limited, Northern Suburbs and Mayfield.
Discontent with the focus of district rugby ' saw the establishment of the Hunter District Rugby Union in 1900. The initial competition comprised the East End, West End, Morpeth, Millers Forest, Branxton and Singleton clubs. Seniors competition continued until 1916, when suspended due to a shortage of players as a result of the War. But the HDRU continued to foster rugby football through the Cadets Competition. In 1996, the Hunter Valley Zone amalgamated with Newcastle to form the current Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union.

List of clubs

Premier Rugby clubs

Suburban clubs

Current club details

The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union now consists of 20 clubs across 3 Divisions plus a women's competition. There is a junior competition accommodating age groups 7 through to 18.Easts
  • *Nickname: Easts
  • *Colours: Gold, White and Navy
  • *Home Ground: Dangar Park, Mayfield
  • *Joined competition: 1946
  • *Premierships:1954, 1987, 1990, 2000, 2004
  • *Nickname: Hawks
  • *Colours: Blue and Gold
  • *Home Ground: Passmore Oval, Wickham
  • *Joined competition: 1968
  • *Premierships:1978, 1982, 1990, 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Lake Macquarie
  • *
  • *Nickname: Roos
  • *Colours: Yellow, Maroon and Dark Blue
  • *Home Ground: Walters Park, Boolaroo
  • *Joined competition:
  • *Premierships: 0
  • * now compete in the Central Coast competitionMaitland
  • *Nickname: Blacks
  • *Colours: Black, with white trim
  • *Home Ground: Marcellin Park, Lorn
  • *Joined competition:
  • *Premierships: 1969, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1983, 1991, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2023, 2025 Merewether Carlton
  • *Nickname: Greens
  • *Colours: Dark green and white
  • *Home Ground: Townson Oval, Merewether
  • *Joined competition:
  • *Premierships: 1947, 1958, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1989, 2007, 2011, 2022, 2024 Nelson Bay
  • *Nickname: Gropers
  • *Colours: Blue, Black and White
  • *Home Ground: Strong Oval, Nelson Bay
  • *Joined competition:
  • *Premierships: 0
  • *now compete in the Subuurban Rugby competitionSingleton
  • *Nickname: Bulls
  • *Colours: Red and Black
  • *Home Ground: Rugby Park, Howe St Singleton.
  • *Joined competition: 1990
  • *Premierships:1992, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • *now compete in the Suburban Rugby competitionSouthern Beaches
  • *Nickname: Beaches
  • *Colours: Blue and Yellow
  • *Home Ground: Alan Davis Field, Gateshead
  • *Joined competition: 2007
  • *Premierships: 0University
  • *Nickname: Students
  • *Colours: Maroon and White
  • *Home Ground: University Oval No 1.
  • *Joined competition: 1957 in first grade
  • *Premierships: 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988 Wanderers
  • *Nickname: Two Blues
  • *Colours: Sky blue and Royal blue
  • *Home Ground: No. 2 Sports ground, Newcastle West
  • *Joined competition:
  • *Premierships: 1945, 1949, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1975, 1981, 1993, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2014 The Waratahs
  • *Nickname: Waratah
  • *Colours: Red, with white trim
  • *Home Ground: Waratah Oval
  • *Joined competition: 1944
  • *Premierships:1946, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1979, 2003, 2006, 2013
Clubs competing in the lower Premier and Suburban competitions include:

Premiers

First grade premiers :
YearPremiers
2025Maitland
2024Merewether Carlton
2023Maitland
2022Merewether Carlton
2019Hamilton
2018Hamilton
2017Hamilton
2016Hamilton
2015Hamilton
2014Wanderers
2013The Waratahs
2012Hamilton
2011Merewether Carlton
2010Hamilton
2009Wanderers
2008Hamilton
2007Merewether Carlton
2006The Waratahs
2005Wanderers
2004Easts
2003The Waratahs
2002Hamilton
2001Wanderers
2000Easts
1999Maitland
1998Maitland
1997Singleton
1996Singleton
1995Singleton

YearPremiers
1969Maitland
1968Waratahs
1967Waratahs
1966University
1965Wanderers
1964Wanderers
1963Wanderers
1962University
1961University
1960Wanderers
1959University
1958Merewether Carlton
1957Waratahs
1956Wanderers
1955Wanderers
1954Easts
1953Waratahs
1952Waratahs
1951Waratahs
1950Waratahs
1949Wanderers
1948Technical College
1947Merewether Carlton
1946Waratahs
1945Wanderers

Notes: *Tie for Premiership

Recent Premier 1 Rugby Finals Series

2017 season

FinalTeamPtsTeamPts
Elimination Maitland 44 Merewether Carlton 20
Qualifying Wanderers 19 Southern Beaches 20
Minor Semi Wanderers 59 Maitland 5
Major Semi Hamilton 27 Southern Beaches 10
Preliminary Southern Beaches 20 Wanderers 34
Grand Hamilton 45 Wanderers 12

2016 Finals

FinalTeamPtsTeamPts
Elimination Merewether Carlton 25 The Waratahs 26
Qualifying Wanderers 18 Southern Beaches 43
Minor Semi Wanderers 41 The Waratahs 33
Major Semi Hamilton 39 Southern Beaches 17
Preliminary Southern Beaches 17 Wanderers 43
Grand Hamilton 37 Wanderers 28

2015 Finals

FinalTeamPtsTeamPts
Elimination Merewether Carlton 27 University 6
Qualifying Wanderers 22 The Waratahs 19
Minor Semi The Waratahs 34 Merewether Carlton 28
Major Semi Hamilton 24 Wanderers 28
Preliminary Hamilton 47 The Waratahs 9
Grand Wanderers 7 Hamilton 14

2014 Finals

FinalTeamPtsTeamPts
Elimination The Waratahs 27 Merewether Carlton 28
Qualifying Hamilton 25 Southern Beaches 50
Minor Semi Hamilton 22 Merewether Carlton 24
Major Semi Wanderers 21 Southern Beaches 24
Preliminary Wanderers 37 Merewether Carlton 15
Grand Southern Beaches 17 Wanderers 20

2013 Finals

FinalTeamPtsTeamPts
Elimination Wanderers 26 Maitland 12
Qualifying The Waratahs 22 Merewether Carlton 20
Minor Semi Merewether Carlton 30 Wanderers 32
Major Semi Hamilton 15 The Waratahs 27
Preliminary Hamilton 43 Wanderers 8
Grand The Waratahs 17 Hamilton 15

2012 Finals

FinalTeamPtsTeamPts
Elimination Maitland 16 Lake Macquarie 23
Qualifying Southern Beaches 17 Merewether Carlton 25
Minor Semi Southern Beaches 10 Lake Macquarie 20
Major Semi Hamilton 25 Merewether Carlton 5
Preliminary Merewether Carlton 46 Lake Macquarie 8
Grand Hamilton 46 Merewether Carlton 0

Test representatives

The following players have played a Rugby Union Test for Australia. The first player from the Newcastle region to represent Australia was C.J.B. White from the Maitland Club in 1899.


Club websites

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