THE HISTORY of Rugby Union in Coffs Harbour will be celebrated during the upcoming long weekend.

A reunion of Coffs Harbour’s rugby union players over its 50-year history will be held at the Bayrange Rugby Park on Saturday, 30 September, and at the Sawtell RSL Club on Sunday, 1 October.

The 50-year history of Rugby Union in Coffs Harbour will be examined on both days with a host of topics.

Saturday’s meeting will be a chance to look at memorabilia from throughout the years, and also feature the history of the establishment of the grounds and clubhouse over 50 years at Rugby Park, and an acknowledgement of representative players, coaches, managers, and administrators who started their careers with Coffs Harbour Rugby.

The development of junior rugby union in Coffs Harbour, and how Rugby basketball and cricket teams formed will also be discussed.

Sunday’s meeting will feature Prime News reporter Claire Simmonds interviewing people who have been associated with Rugby Union in Coffs Harbour over the past 50 years.

People nominated will discuss the rise and fall of Rugby Union over the last 50 years in Coffs Harbour.

As numbers are limited it is a ‘first in, first served basis’, with the only way to confirm your booking is to book online at https://Sawtellrsl.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/113507

Alternatively, you can go to the Sawtell RSL website, and at Online bookings click on Coffs Harbour Rugby 50th Celebrations.

Coffs rugby stalwart and original Snappers player Des Hoy gave an insight into the first 50 years of Rugby Union in Coffs Harbour.

“The Coffs Harbour Rugby Union Club certainly has a unique and dramatic history,” he said.

“Born out of intense rivalries and necessity, the club as it stands today is one of the most successful in country New South Wales.

“The first incarnation of the Coffs Harbour Rugby Club was established in 1973.

“Known as the Snappers, the club entered the Far North Coast competition and took out both the first and second grade premierships in its inaugural year.

“For the best part of the next two decades, the Snappers dominated the competition, taking out 13 premierships in 17 years.

“This included a run of eight undefeated seasons in first grade, an incredible record that is yet to be surpassed.

“As the club competition and city of Coffs Harbour evolved, it was decided that the Snappers would form two clubs and join a new competition to accommodate the influx of players and reduce traveling.

“In 1990 Coffs Harbour Harlequins and Northern Beaches (known as ‘Beaches’) rugby clubs were formed and were entered into the more geographically friendly Mid North Coast competition.

“Thus began one of the fiercest rivalries in country rugby, with both clubs sharing facilities, training paddocks, playing grounds and an intense desire to beat the stuffing out of each other on the field.

“‘Beaches’ and ‘Harlies’ clashes were always hard and close and with each club having their own rowdy band of
supporters, they never failed to draw a crowd.

“Despite becoming two clubs, the strength and player depth remained so strong that the two Coffs clubs fought out the first two first grade grand finals, with Harlequins winning both.

“In 1995, Southern Cross University entered teams in the Reserve Grade and Under 19 competitions, tasting immediate finals success in their formative years.

“Known as the Marlins, the students established a passionate club, with the loyal support of the uni community and a fun social atmosphere.

“The Marlins won the Presidents Cup trophy in 1998.

“At the beginning of the 1999 season, Harlequins and the Marlins combined resources and became the SCU Harlequins, going on to win a memorable grand final that year against the powerful Grafton Redmen.

“The Beaches club changed their name in 2001, reverting to the old Snappers name.

“While they were strong on the field winning the premiership in 2000 and 2001, the club struggled and eventually folded in 2002.

“Disaster struck in the 2002 MNCRU Grand Finals held at Verge Street Oval Kempsey.

“In Reserve Grade Allan McCabe, playing for the SCU Harlequins, broke his neck.

“In the First-grade game that followed, Kempsey player Kullen Beath left the field with an injury and soon after passed away.

“Rugby in Coffs Harbour hit the wall in 2002.”

Hoy also gave an insight into the past 20 years of Coffs Rugby.

“In 2003 SCU Harlequins joined forces with the remnants of Snappers and put their loyalties aside to form one Club, it was called Coffs Rugby Union Club,” he said.

“Coffs Rugby won the first-grade premierships from 2003 to 2006, only losing a handful of games along the way.

“The club played against teams from the New England competition in 2003 and 2004 and were proud holders of the Arthur Tonkin Shield for both years.

“That success filtered through to the lower grades with trophies in both reserve grade and under 18’s competitions along the way.

“In 2005 they won all three grand finals, in 2008 Coffs Harbour nominated two first grade teams in the MNCRU competition to help strengthen the zone.

“In 2009 the two teams played each other in the Grand Final; the Coffs Harbour Breakers defeated Coffs Harbour
Crushers.

“In 2010 we witnessed the return of the Southern Cross Marlins to the MNC competition, entering a reserve grade team.

“In 2011 Southern Cross Marlins nominated three teams in the MNCRU competition.

“Despite their differences over the years, there is a positive atmosphere and unity at the two clubs, traditions have flowed from all the formative clubs, and the old Beaches, Harlies, Snappers and Marlins jumpers still litter the field at training.

“With the continued support of our sponsors over many years Rugby in Coffs Harbour continues to be competitive at all levels every year.

“The two Coffs Harbour Clubs had 10 teams playing in the MNCRU Grand Finals at Bayrange Rugby Park 2023, winning four.

“Over the past few years, we have seen the rapid expansion of our juniors.

“The Friday Night competition had 380 young players under 12 participating, many of these juniors have gone on to play representative rugby at the highest level.”

By Aiden BURGESS