08/07/2021
Club: Belfast
Grade: Queenstown U12
Club Colours: Green & Gold
Mascot/Emblem: Cobras
Home Ground: Sheldon Park (The Snake Pit) / Northwood Park / Englefield Park
The Belfast Rugby Football Club is made up of 4 Senior teams (Division 1, Division 2, Metro Colts and Division 4 “Munchers”, and 11 Junior teams from U6 to U13. We pride ourselves on being the club of choice in the North-West of Christchurch
It was initially thought Belfast RFC was formed in 1947, hence in 1972 and 1997 we held celebrations to commemorate 25 and 50 years respectively, however one of our Special Life Members Les McFadden, who is also part of and a Trustee of the CRFU Historical Trust, found reference to the Belfast Rugby Football Club in the early 1900’s. Further research revealed that the club had in fact made an application for colours to register a team in 1908 and it’s first competitive game that year was against a team from the Richmond Rugby Club. The Belfast Rugby Football Club on the 1st April 1908 asked for approval for colours, a black jersey with a white band on the left arm and white shorts. It was decided not to accept the colours, as this was very similar to others already appropriated. The Belfast Rugby Football Club was granted their colours of green and gold a week later on 8th April 1908.
The club then had teams in CRFU competitions until the end of 1938, and in 1939 went into recess during the 2nd World War. The club was reformed in 1947. Our Centenary year was in 2016 which is 108 years since the club was formed, but 100 years of playing due to the 8 years in recess during the 2nd World War.
We have had seven All Blacks through the club, including Billy Bush, Wayne Smith, Kieran Keane, Hayden (Hud) Rickett, Craig Green, Todd Blackadder and Sonny Bill Williams. We also have Japan Rugby Legend, Luke Thompson who has played in a record 4 World Cups for his adopted country.