History – The birth of Wellsford rugby

PART ONE

Albertland Heritage Museum congratulates Wellsford Rugby Club on reaching a remarkable milestone – 100 years of rugby in the district.

In the early 1900s, a well-known schoolteacher, G.H. “Geordie” Smith – who taught at Omaha, Ti Point, Whangaripo and Port Albert – became the first secretary of the embryo Rodney Rugby Union. At the same time, rugby was already flourishing at Albertland (also known as Port Albert), a strong club whose players usually reached matches by water. Long before sealed roads and clubrooms, rugby players in the Rodney district usually travelled by boat with the Kaipara Harbour serving as the district’s main highway. Trips were organised to Batley, Maungaturoto, Paparoa and Helensville, however, special “red letter” occasions sometimes saw teams trek overland to Waipu and other places.

But the easiest land route between east and west was through the Whangaripo Valley, which had originally developed as an extension of Matakana. As the settlement grew, so did interest in rugby.

Players from Te Arai, Tomarata, Wayby and Whangaripo combined to form the Whangaripo United Club.

When Wellsford began to grow as a township, many new settlers joined their ranks.

Then came World War I, and rugby in Rodney went into recess “for the duration.”

By 1921, the Eastern clubs reorganised their competitions and Port Albert resumed play in the Otamatea Union. In 1925, Whangaripo United – now including many Wellsford players – completed an unbeaten season. To celebrate, a smoke concert was held in Wellsford Hall, organised mainly by the Wellsford faction of the club.

That evening would change local rugby history.

The gathering was intended to repay hospitality and entertain rugby men from Port Albert, Te Hana and surrounding districts. But it also sparked a bold idea – could Wellsford form its own club and even its own union?

Local saddler H.M. Smith chaired the meeting. On the motion of George Prince, Wellsford’s representative, a committee was formed to investigate the proposal. Prince was appointed to represent Wellsford if a local club could be established.

One major obstacle stood in the way: a playing field. The A&P Showgrounds were thought unsuitable.

Then, amid applause, Mr Schutt offered the use of his paddock – land that today forms Centennial Park.

On March 7, 1926, the first Annual Meeting of the Wellsford Rugby Union was held in the Wellsford Hall – before a Wellsford Rugby Club even formally existed. It seemed almost absurd that a rugby union should be born before its club, yet that is exactly what happened.

Lionel Littin moved that a Wellsford Rugby Union be formed comprising three clubs, with Eastern clubs welcome to join. The motion carried unanimously. Mr E.A. Vipond became the Union’s first President, and black-and-white hoops were reserved as the new club colours.

After only three seasons, the new Union had grown so successfully that it joined with Eastern clubs to form a Rodney Union operating in East and West divisions. Geordie Smith once again became Secretary.

On 11 April 1929, the Wellsford Union ceased to exist, replaced by Rodney West and Rodney East – a structure that would later merge fully in 1932.

Rugby in Rodney had found its footing.

To be continued: Championships, trophies and the men who built a rugby legacy.