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.
Rugby Union was established in Newcastle on 5 June 1869, when the Volunteer Artillery team (8 players) challenged United Cricket Club (11 Players). The match was played in Centennial Park (currently Lowlands Bowling Club).
On 1 May 1877, a meeting at `Ship Inn` saw the foundation of Newcastle Football Club. 1887 also saw the formation of the Wallsend and Maitland Clubs.
In 1888, a meeting of Newcastle, Advance, West Maitland, Union and Ferndale Clubs saw a branch of the Southern Rugby Football (later NSWRU in 1892) established, this was known as the Northern Branch. This was the formation of the Newcastle Rugby Union.
Early clubs in the competition included Advance (1880); West Maitland (1885); Oriental (1885); Union (1885); Ferndale (1885); Waratah (1885); Raymond Terrace (1886); Carlton (1887); Centennial (1887); Lambton (1888); Wickham Albion (1888) and Greta (1890).
In 1911, the Northern Branch disbanded but was reformed in 1912 to be known as the Newcastle Branch. During 1915 - 1924, little rugby was played due to World War I and its aftermath. After a match between GPS Old Boys (Wanderers) and Novocastrians at Empire Park in 1925 a decision was made to reform the Newcastle Rugby Union; this was beginning of the current First Grade Competition.
During the period, the Hunter Valley Rugby Union was formed which consisted of clubs like Singleton, Muswellbrook and Scone but in 1996, the Hunter Valley Zone amalgamated with Newcastle to form the current Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union.
The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union now consists of 20 clubs across 3 Divisions plus a women's competition. There is a junior competition (Hunter Junior Rugby Union) accommodating age groups 7 through to 18.
EastsNickname: EastsColours: White and NavyHome Ground: Dangar Park, MayfieldJoined competition:Premierships:1954, 1987, 1990 (tied), 2000, 2004 (5)HamiltonNickname: HawksColours: Blue and GoldHome Ground: Passmore Oval, WickhamJoined competition: 1968Premierships:1978, 1982, 1990 (tied), 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016 (9)Lake Macquarie(formerly known as Boolaroo)Nickname: RoosColours: Yellow, Maroon and Dark BlueHome Ground: Walters Park,BoolarooJoined competition:Premierships: 0MaitlandNickname: BlacksColours: Black, with white trimHome Ground: Marcellin Park, LornJoined competition:Premierships: 1969, 1974(tied), 1976, 1977, 1983, 1991, 1994, 1998, 1999.(9)Merewether CarltonNickname: GreensColours: Dark green and whiteHome Ground: Townson Oval, MerewetherJoined competition:Premierships: 1947, 1958, 1973, 1974 (tied), 1979 (tied), 1980, 1989, 2007, 2011 (9)Nelson BayNickname: GropersColours: Blue,Black and WhiteHome Ground: Strong Oval,Nelson BayJoined competition:Premierships: 0SingletonNickname: BullsColours: Red and BlackHome Ground: Rugby Park,Howe St Singleton.Joined competition: 1990Premierships:1992, 1995, 1996, 1997 (4)Southern BeachesNickname: BeachesColours: Blue and YellowHome Ground: Alan Davis Field, GatesheadJoined competition: 2007Premierships: 0UniversityNickname: StudentsColours: Maroon and WhiteHome Ground: University Oval No 1.Joined competition: 1957 in first grade (1955 in the lower grades)Premierships: 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988 (8)WanderersNickname: Two BluesColours: Sky blue and Royal blueHome Ground: No. 2 Sports ground, Newcastle WestJoined competition:Premierships: 1945, 1949, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1975, 1981, 1993, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2014 (15)The WaratahsNickname: WaratahColours: Red, with white trimHome Ground: Waratah OvalJoined competition: 1944Premierships:1946, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1979 (tied), 2003, 2006, 2013 (15)Clubs competing in the lower First & Second Division competitions include:
First grade premiers (1945 onwards):
Notes: *Tie for Premiership
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.
Neil Adams (Noodles) (1925–1986) Merewether Carlton - 1 testCyril Burke (1925-) Merewether Carlton / The Waratahs - 26 TestsWalter Cobb (1870–1933) Centennial - 2 TestsMichael Cocks (1945 -) Brisbane Waters - 10 TestsTerrence Curley (1938 -) Wanderers - 11 TestsDeclan Curran (1952 -) The Waratahs - 4 TestsMichael Fitzgerald (1955 -) The WaratahsWilliam Gardner (1929 -) Newcastle - 1 TestRonald Harvey (1933 -) The Waratahs - 2 TestsPhil Hawthorne (1943–1994) Wanderers - 21 TestsJohn Hipwell (1948 - 2013) The Waratahs - 35 TestsPeter Horton (1945 -) The Waratahs - 21 TestsMichael Jenkinson (1940 -) WanderersHubert Jones (1888–1919) North Newcastle - 3 TestsAlexander MacNeill (1947 -) Newcastle Referees Assoc - 16 TestsSydney Malcolm (1903 -) South Newcastle - 12 TestsJohn Marshall (1926 -) The Waratahs - 1 TestRonald Meadows (Twinkletoes) Wanderers - 6 TestsSteve Merrick (1968 -) Singleton - 2 TestsDr. Herbert Moran (Paddy) (1885–1945) Newcastle - 1 TestJoshua Stevenson (1883 - ?) South NewcastleDominic Vaughan (1960 -) The Waratahs - 5 TestsPatrick Walsh (1879–1953) Carlton - 3 TestsKeith Walsham (1941 -) University - 2 TestsCharlie White (1874–1941) Maitland - 3 Tests