RAVENSBOURNE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
1883 - 1992
The first annual meeting of the Club was held in the old Ravensbourne Hotel in 1887. It was decided to affiliate with the ORFU in 1890. The first Secretary was Mr James B. Flynn and the first Captain was Mr Webber.
The first field, as of up to 1984, was occupied by the 'Hume Pipe Company'. The field was located on a stretch of ground reclaimed by 'The Derricks'. The 'Derricks' was a system that used to spread spoil pumped from the harbour over an area which had already been dammed up (this system ceased working in 1887).
This was to be the playing area of both football and cricket clubs, until Moller Park, as we know it today, was laid out in 1912, - until that time it was invariably known as the 'Rec' short for Ravensbourne Reclamation Ground.
A good deal of time elapsed before the Club could play competitively on the ground.
The first team game, recorded in the Otago Daily Times 11 June 1887, was when Ravensbourne played against the opposing team 'Fitzroy', the next Saturday they played the Port Chalmers team the 'Pioneers'
PORT CHALMERS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
1883 - 1992
The first meeting of the Club was held in 1883 following by a game played between the Pirates Club and local players, although it is known that the Navals played the game before this, their matches being all social.
Early history records that the initiative of William (Beau) Menelaus, and others un-named, were responsible for the formation of the Rugby Club at Port Chalmers. Menelaus who was a big man (6ft 2" weighing in at 17 stone) was a most capable player and the Captain of the first team. The ORFU Annual of 1886 records W. Menelaus as "A heavy and powerful forward, has come rapidly into the front, very good on the touch line, good at passing and with more experience should make an excellent player". His ability gained him a position on the Otago Team the previous season. Under his guidance, it is little wonder that the Club has acquitted itself so well over the years.
HARBOUR RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
1992 - PRESENT
Harbour Rugby Football Club was formed in 1992 by the amalgamation of the Port Chalmers and Ravensbourne Clubs. Each Club had already celebrated its centennial (1983 and 1984 respectively) and both had enjoyed senior status at various times during their existence.
However, due to a severe decline in work opportunites in the West Harbour and Port Chalmers areas in the late 1980s, neither Club could sustain participation in senior rankings without drawing on players from outside their traditional areas. In 1991 a steering committee drawn from members of both Clubs determined that to maintain senior rugby in both areas, the best chance of survival was to combine strengths. Special general meetings of both Clubs approved amalgamation. In the first year (1992) of the new Harbour RFC's existence, four of our teams made the finals of the Otago RFU grade competitions, with our seniors attaining second place in the final against University A just after having played a strength-sapping semi against Pirates which went for 30 minutes extra time!
In ensuing years, our teams enjoyed great success with our premiers again being matched against University A in an extra time final. 2001 also saw us finishing in the top four. Recent years have seen us enter teams in the premier, senior, senior reserve, second grade, premier colts, junior colts and women's grades. All teams play bright, open and enjoyable rugby.
We are fortunate to have two fine clubhouses with exceptional changing facilities. These are based at Watson Park in Port Chalmers and Moller Park in Ravensbourne. We endeavour to provide a lively and fun atmosphere for after-match functions and a warm welcome to all new members.
In the Club's short existence, we have been proud to have two All Blacks and one Black Fern - Jeff Wilson, Tony Brown and Fiona King - as members. In addition, numerous Highlanders, Otago NPC , NZ Colts, U-19 and Otago representatives across the grades, including a considerable number of women, are members of our Club.
The Club's colours are Red, White and Blue and playing strip is provided for all teams.
Come and join Harbour Rugby Football Club - the Harbour Hawks!