St Patrick's Rugby Club

St Patrick's Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Strathfield, New South Wales. The club, formerly known as St Patrick's Old Boys, currently field six teams in the first division of the New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union, known as Subbies. The club was formed in 1964 and since their elevation to first division have not been relegated. The club was formed by ex-students of St Patrick's College, Strathfield but now has members from various backgrounds including a number of international players.

St Patrick's Rugby Club history

St Patrick’s Rugby Club was established in 1964. In that year the Club entered a team in the “B” Grade competition of the Western Suburbs Junior Rugby League and played games at Concord Oval & Lidcombe Oval. The team played in a white jumper with a black collar and was coached by Peter Burnicle. The first President of the Club was Michael Iacono.

In 1966, St Patrick’s Rugby Club entered a team in the Western Suburbs Junior Rugby Union Under 20 Competition. The change to Rugby Union was deemed necessary as St Patrick’s College Strathfield in 1965 changed from a Rugby League school to a Rugby Union School. Pat Allsopp coached the first Under 20 side in 1966. A second Under 20 team was entered in 1968.

In 1969, St Patrick’s Rugby Club had three teams. Two open age teams entered the NSW Suburban Rugby Union Second Division Competition namely the Barraclough Cup. Because of a jersey clash with Knox Old Boys who played in all black the Club jumper was changed to a black and gold stripe. Our other side the Under 20 team were Western Harbour Premiers.

This competition was further expanded in 1971 to incorporate the Stockdale, Blunt and Richardson Cups. The late John O’Rourke was the first coach of our Barraclough Cup side. During these years training was conducted under lights at Fatima Oval (one of the ovals within the College grounds).

In 1973 the club won the Reliance Shield as Club Champions of the Second Division. In that year the Club won the Blunt Cup this being our first success in NSW Suburban Football.

In 1974 St Patrick’s Rugby Club was promoted to the First Division of the NSW Suburban Rugby Union Competition, namely the Kentwell Cup Division. Our training facilities were upgraded to the Ashfield Centenary Ground in Croydon and the unofficial Club House for the Club was the Illinois Hotel at Five Dock. In 1979 the Club changed its jumper to the same colours as the School jumper (i.e. Black Jumper with Gold Collar), which is still being used today.

In 1980 St Patrick’s Rugby Club secured a sub licence from The Trustees of the Christian Brothers who held a licence from Strathfield Council for Hudson Park at Homebush and this became our new home ground. With the support of Strathfield Council, the NSW State Government and our valued Sponsors, a new Club House was erected on Hudson Park and opened in 1981. During the nineties two light towers were erected at Hudson Park to facilitate training at the ground and in 2005 a further two light towers were erected. The quality of the lighting now allows for night football to be conducted at Hudson Park.

Since promotion to the Kentwell Cup Division in 1974, St Patrick’s Rugby Club remains one of only two Clubs who after being promoted, have not been relegated to the Second Division. This is a fine record of which the Club remains extremely proud.

St Patrick’s Rugby Club has won the Club Championship Trophy on five occasions. The Second Division Competition “ the Reliance Shield” in 1973, and the Club Championship in the First Division Competition in 1976, 1994, 1996, and 1998. In 1976 St Patrick’s Rugby Club became the first Club to have all four sides competing in Grand Finals.

The Kentwell Cup trophy has been won on two occasions, in 1975 with the team coached by Don Loughry and 1993 with the team coached by Paul Donnellan.

Today St Patrick’s Rugby Club continues to maintain its fine tradition of being one of the leading Clubs in the NSW Suburban Rugby Competition. The Club operates six teams each week competing in the Kentwell, Burke, Whiddon, Judd, Sutherland and Barbour Cups. While the Club continues to operate at the highest level, the Club continues to strive to maintain the balance between success on the field and the mateship and camaraderie that is engendered within the Rugby Community.

Premierships

The club has won twenty premierships across various grades, including two Kentwell Cups.
* 1969 Under 20’s
* 1973 Blunt Cup
* 1975 Kentwell Cup
* 1976 Whiddon Cup
* 1976 Judd Cup
* 1985 Whiddon Cup
* 1988 Whiddon Cup
* 1989 Whiddon Cup
* 1993 Kentwell Cup
* 1994 Burke Cup
* 1995 Burke Cup
* 1996 Barbour Cup
* 1997 Whiddon Cup
* 1998 Burke Cup
* 1998 Sutherland Cup
* 1999 Whiddon Cup
* 1999 Judd Cup
* 2000 Whiddon Cup
* 2000 Judd Cup
* 2001 Judd Cup

Club Championships

The club has won five club championships in 1973, 1976, 1994, 1996, 1998.

External links

* [http://www.stpats-rugby.com St Patrick's Rugby Club web site]