South Australian Rugby Union 1932-33
The following article, unfinished and in draft form, was entitled 'South Australian Rugby Union 1932-1939' that was found amongst some club papers of 1991-1992. The article ended in 1933 and I'd be interested to know if someone has the final version of this. What should be of particular interest to Collegians is discussion of the formation of the Adelaide Rugby Union Club on the 5th May 1932 and the club's adoption of the maroon jersey. Was this the first Collegians club?
Paul Horne ... 6th April 2002
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION, 1932 - 1939
As far as can be ascertained there had been occasions where games of rugby had been played in South Australia, but these were in the nature of "scratch" teams picked for special occasions such as charity carnivals.
It was not until 30 March 1932 when Mr. H.I. (Ian) Sabey who was then a reporter on the Adelaide Advertiser wrote that a meeting had been convened where it was decided to arrange a side to play against the visiting English team who would be passing through Adelaide on May 18th.
A second meeting was held on 6th April at the offices of radio station 5AD where it was proposed that a practice game should be held on April 16th.
The game took place on the grounds of the South Australian Soccer Club at the corner of South Terrace and Hutt Street with the players changing in the woodshed of the Arab Steed Hotel in Hutt Street, nearby the ground. The game resulted in a win for Sabey's team by 5 points, Fisher's team 3 points. Sabey's team’s score came from a converted try which indicated that the referee must have been a man of very fine judgement as the game was played without the aid of any goal posts.
Unfortunately, no written record can be found of the names of all the players who participated in this historic game.
The following are known, however, to have taken part -N. Arnold, Birmingham, P. Campbell, A. Fisher, H. Hopkins, N.C. Mair, K. Peterson, H.I. Sabey, J. Watts, R. Wills, P. Wills - several other players participated and many others joined in in subsequent matches.
A further meeting was held on April 18th. at Ware's Exchange Hotel in Hindley Street, where it was decided to form a South Australian Rugby Union. It should be noted however that this proposal was not proceeded with and it was not until much later in the year that a real decision was made to form the South Australian Rugby Union.
It was also decided that the possibility of obtaining a site good enough to compete with the players of the visiting English team would be very remote and the project was abandoned. This was rather fortunate as it avoided what would have been future embarrasment when it was discovered that the English team was actually a Rugby League team.
On the 23rd April a game was played on the Army's Hockey ground on the corner of South And West Terrace resulting in a win for A.W. Fisher's side against F.C. Campbell's side by 6 points to 3. The referee was a Mr. J.P. Eade. On this occasion there were as well as the experienced players many people who had not played the game and were anxious to learn.
On May 5th at the Eagle Hotel, Hindley Street a meeting was held at which it was decided to form the Adelaide Rugby Union Club.
For some time the Adelaide club fielded two teams, one team playing in maroon jerseys and the other in black jerseys. On 14th May, N. Arnold's side defeated A. Fisher's side 3 to nil. This was the first occasion on which two full sides had been fielded.
On the 21st. May a second Club team entered the competition. This was a Navy team from the Royal Australian Naval Reserve station at Birkenhead and had been formed as a result of the enthusiasm of Lieutenant Walsh.
Adelaide 22 defeated Navy 3, on the first occasion that the McKinnon Parade ground was used. The first time two matches were played on one day was June 4th when Navy and Adelaide both fielded two teams, both games being won by Adelaide the first 17 to Nil and the second 3 to Nil.
Waratahs was the next club to be formed with players leaving Adelaide Club to form the new one. R. Charlton was the instigator in forming the Club and they played their first game against Navy B's on June 25th when Waratahs defeated the Navy team 14 to 3. On the same day Adelaide 20 defeated Navy Nil.
A general meeting of the Adelaide Rugby Football Club was held on 21 June, when the following officers were elected - Chairman, F.C. Campbell; Secretary, A.W. Fisher; Assistant Secretary, N. Arnold; Treasurer, H. Hopkins;
Committee N.M. Mair, G.P. Wills and H.I. Sabey. Unfortunately no minutes of this meeting can be found.
On July 14th a meeting was held between representatives of Adelaide, Navy and Waratah Clubs. Mr. L. Howard was elected Secretary.
Lieutenant Walsh said he would donate a cup for a Knock out competition which ultimately became known as the Navy Cup and was played for for many years following.
A list of games was drawn up to be played until August 13th, and it was resolved on the motion of Mr. N.M. Mair and seconded by Mr. Judd that a Rugby Union be formed and each team be invited to send three delegates to attend a meeting on Thursday 28th July so that by-laws be drawn up and the above Union be formed with a view to affiliate with parent bodies.
On the 15th July a University team was formed and as a result they also sent delegates to the July 28th meeting.
This was an historic occasion and it is worth recording the names of people present who were responsible for finally establishing a South Australian Rugby Union. In addition to the Chairman, Mr. F.C. Campbell and the Secretary Mr. L. Howard, Mr. N.M. Mair and Mr. H. Hopkins, Navy was represented by Lt. Walsh, Messrs. Bennetts, Judd, and Morris, Waratahs by Messrs. Elthick, Charlton and Kinghorn, Adelaide by Messrs. Sabey, Watts, Hutchison and Wills, University by Messrs. Rowe, O'Connor and Douglas.
At this meeting the Chairman and Secretary were re-elected; it was resolved that a South Australian Rugby Union be formed and affiliate with the Australian Unions
and be called the S.A. Rugby Union.
It was also resolved "That in the body be formed members to consist of Patron, President, Vice President, Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and two representatives from each Club"
It was suggested that the South Australian Union should control all clubs by-laws and court of appeal.
A council was formed and nominations were called for Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer. It was proposed by Mr. Charlton and seconded by Mr. Sabey that Mr. F.C. Campbell be elected as Chairman of Council. Mr. Howard was elected Hon. Secretary of the Council.
Mr. N.M. Mair was elected Hon. Treasurer of the Council and the following suggestions were read by Mr. Sabey:
(1) That the Union affiliate with the parent body and adopt the laws of the game and rules as professionalism as adopted by the Rugby Football Union.
(2) That it consists of such Rugby Football Clubs at present formed in this State and represented at this meeting.
(3) That its jurisdiction extends to all such Clubs so formed.
(4) That its object be to foster and control Rugby Football throughout the State and to make all arrangements of visiting teams from other States.
(5) Also to take entire management of the S.A. representative teams, and to be the court of appeal in all matters whether they be disputes, misconduct or otherwise and any other provision if necessary for furthering the game.
(6) Also the council be formed to manage the affairs of the Union, that the said Council consisted of Patron, President, Vice President, Chairman, Hon.
Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and two members from each Club.
(7) The Council elected to appoint a management committee to consist of Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and three members of the Council.
(8) The council then set about forming laws and regulations and the proper organisation of the affairs of Rugby Union in this State. Such laws to be submitted to a General Meeting of all clubs concerned at a later date.
(9) The Council or management committee have full control of the games to be played and appointment of referees for the year 1932.
Other matters decided were that the formation rules be left to the Annual meeting; that council have power to elect the selection committee and control all games and nomination for council members shall be two from each club, subject to any alterations at the general meeting. It was finally decided that a committee of three be chosen as selectors, one of whom shall be Mr. F.C. Campbell, the second Mr. Masters who knows the game and the third member to be a player whom the committee has confidence in. The wording was a little unfortunate but it was not intended to indicate a lack of confidence in the other two gentlemen.
The meeting was adjourned until 11th August which was really the first meeting of the newly formed South Australian Rugby Union.
At this meeting it wis decided that the South Australian Rugby Union adopt the Queensland Rugby Union rules and constitution.
The State colours were decided to be a crimson jersey, a gold emblem on the left breast with a black magpie in the centre, crimson socks and white shorts and club colours were approved as follows : Adelaide - maroon; Navy - Green; University - Black with White V; Waratah – Black with white horizontal stripes.
It was also decided that each Club would donate one guinea so as to carry on the Rugby Union.
At this meeting there is the first reference to referees being appointed they are Mr. Martin, for the Adelaide/Waratah match; Mr. F.C. Campbell for the University/Navy match and each team was requested to bring one linesman. It was also suggested that referees be empowered to report players who disobeyed the rules by talking on the field.
Further meetings were held on April 18 and August 25th at which it was decided to invite a Victorian team to visit South Australia.
This match did not eventuate but instead a South Australia versus the rest was played on August 6th at the Jubilee oval. The cost of hiring the ground was 5 guineas and admission to the match was 7 pence to the ground and 7 pence to the grandstand.
A further meeting was held on lst September at which the treasurer reported receipts of three pounds six shillings and expenditure of six shillings leaving a balance of three pounds.
Reverting to the remainder of the club matches played for the year - University played its first match on 16th July and drew with Navy 15 all. At this stage only two University players had played Rugby previously.
July 23rd saw the first occasion on which three matches were played in one day and on July 29th Navy defeated Adelaide for the first time. August 6th saw University's first win when they defeated Adelaide B. 12-6.
On the 27th August the final of the Navy cup was played which Adelaide beat University 16-3.
In September two teams journeyed to Golden Grove which was then considered to be outside of the metropolitan area of Adelaide and was the home town of Mr. Phil Campbell who organised the demonstration game.
First Annual General Meeting
This was held on 14th February 1933. At this meeting Mr. F.C. Campbell tendered his resignation. It was decided to adopt the constititution of the Queensland Rugby Union and nomination were called for officers for the year 1933. The first President was Mr. N.M. Mair. The Hon. Secretary was Mr. Howard, Mr. C.J. Walker was Assistant Secretary. Mr. H. Hopkins was elected Hon. Treasurer. It was decided that affiliation fees be one guinea per annum per club plus one shilling for each playing member.
It was also agreed to write letters to schools to try to obtain more referees and old players.
Source: Mick Finn, April 2002
Phil Campbell
Played in the UK. Lived/worked in Golden Grove. Road his horse to the tram terminus at Hampstead Pub. Caught a tram to the city for training/playing. Died prior to 1996 aged 89.
From a discussion with Len Perkins 20th August 2002:
"A rough resumé of pre-war rugby shows that it commenced in 1932 with University then Woodville, North Adelaide, East Torrens, H.M.S. Cerberus - Birkenhead Naval Station and then Prince Alfred Old Collegians in 1937 plus a team of predominantly N.Z.s playing at Wayville? oval.
In 1939 war was declared and with it went the bulk of the South Australian Rugby such that by the 1940 season most teams were down to just a few people, so few apparently that a 1940 effort of continuing teams came to zero.
P.A.O.C. were to join up with North Adelaide without success on either part and so South Australian rugby collapsed as an entity. Jack V. Case, a Welsh-born hooker from the pre-war Woodville club, concentrated on revitalising rugby by forming sub-junior teams of 16-17 year olds.
