145 Years Of Wellington Club Rugby (1871-2016)

Above: Clapham's Paddock, on the south-east corner of Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon,around 1890

The article below was publshed in the recent St Patrick's College, Wellington, Rugby Football Club newsletter.

The first references to organised football in Wellington date back to at least 1866, with a Wellington football team playing a visiting naval team from HMS Challenger in 1869. However, it was not until May 1871 that Wellington's first Football Club was established, at the time noting that it was, "an acknowledged fact that athletics and outdoor sports improve both the physique and health of those who take part in them."

A month later, about 25 members of the newly established Wellington Football Club met at Clapham's Paddock in Thorndon (on the south-east side of Fitzherbert Terrace, now the site of the US Embassy on Murphy Street), for a first trial of the Rugby rules. (Thomas William Clapham's home was where Queen Margaret College is today. He owned the Ngahauranga Inn.)

The early version of the game trialed at Clapham's Paddock was significantly different to the game we know today. For example, players were only permitted to run with the ball when it was caught cleanly from a kick, or on the first bounce, with the game only being able to be won through goals kicked. (Carrying the ball over the goal-line enabled the player to try to kick a goal.)

At Clapham's Paddock on Saturday, 1 July 1871, sides were chosen and brisk play commenced, however only about six of those present knew the rules, and there was a "little rough work" by some who "appeared willing to bring the Rugby rules into discredit."

The rules of the game were played in an experimental fashion for some years thereafter. For example, later that year, some of the so-called "Melbourne Rules" were adopted.

These variations introduced the "scrimmage" which "to the spectators seemed rather rough work, but were thoroughly enjoyed by all the players." The adopted rules also included the requirement to bounce the ball after carrying it a certain distance, as is the case with modern AFL today. The Melbourne Rules continued to be trialled in Wellington until at least 1875.

In April 1879, a proposal was made by the Wellington Football Club to all Rugby Union Clubs in the colony to form a Rugby Union. The Wellington Rugby Union Football Association (note the name) was formed in October of that year. The uniform selected for representative matches comprised a black jersey, knicker-bockers and stockings, with black velvet and gold skull-cap, with a monogram on the front.

By 1887, "professionalism" (referring to a player who received any form of money consideration) in the game was outlawed. 

A fragment of Clapham's Paddock still remains, today known as Katherine Mansfield Memorial Park.

While a football match was played in 1870 by a group of Melbourne Rules enthusiasts against Nelson visitors, it seems entirely appropriate that Wellington Rugby seeks the approval of the Wellington City Council to erect a commemorative plaque at the former Clapham's Paddock, acknowledging the first ever game of Rugby Union played by Wellington's first established Rugby Club, in July 1871.