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Pirates - Old Boys Club 2001 - Present
At the end of the 2000 season the Pirates and Old Boys rugby clubs amalgamated to the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club playing under the banner of the Eastern Hawks. At the time it was proposed that to strengthen Southland Rugby there was the need for a strong Premier competition of 8 teams preferably spread throughout the region. The amalgamation was to ensure that they would be part of this competition and provide a pathway to higher honours for club players. This was realised in the first year when the Hawks played in the final of the Galbraith shield narrowly losing to Marist, they made the semi finals twice in the next four years before winning the Galbraith shield in 2006. |
 The Eastern Hawks Galbraith Shield winning team 2006 |
Pirates Rugby Club 1883 – 2000
Founded in 1883 Pirates was one of the pioneering rugby clubs inSouthland, formed to provide the Invercargill club with some opposition it quickly built its strength winning the club premiership in 1886,87 & 89.
In 1908 the club was involved in the infamous players strike which along with its foray into league with the Britannia club resulted in a number of its players being suspended by the union. In 1911 the club went into recession before re-surfacing in 1920, the club quickly regained its strength winning its first Galbraith Shield in 1927. It went on to win the shield a total of 12 times the last in 1984. The club produced 15 All Blacks most notably J Richardson 1921- 25 who was also to captain the All blacks. Four Presidents of the NZRFU and many representative players for Southland age group, and seniors. |
Old Boys Rugby Club 1928 - 2000
Old Boys Rugby Club was founded in 1928 and has been based at Surrey park for over 50 years.
Initially formed to promote rugby for the old boys of Southland Boys High School, player membership was resolved in 1962 to open the club to any players. In 1934 the club won its first Galbraith Shield, which it won again in 1946, 1961 & 1968. The club produced 4 All Blacks most notably NA Mitchell 1933 -38 who was also to captain the All Blacks. Two Presidents of the NZRFU, and many Representative players for Southland age group, and seniors. |
