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{{Short description|Australian rugby union club, based in Concord, NSW}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{No footnotes|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby team
{{Infobox rugby team
| teamname = West Harbour
| teamname = West Harbour
| image = West Harbour Logo.png
| image = West Harbour Logo.png
| image_size = 150px
| image_size = 150
| fullname = West Harbour (1995–)<br/> {{nowrap|Western Suburbs DRUFC (1900–94)}}
| fullname = West Harbour Rugby Football Club (1995–)
| nickname = Pirates
| nickname = ''Pirates''
| founded = 1900
| founded = {{start date and age|1900}} as "Western Suburbs RFC"
| location = [[Concord, New South Wales|Concord]], Sydney
| location = [[Concord, New South Wales|Concord]], Sydney
| countryflag = Australia
| ground = [[Concord Oval]]
| Home Ground = [[Concord Oval]]
| capacity = 5,000
| Capacity = 20,000
| coach = [[Mark Gudmunson]]
| Coach = [[Mark Gudmunson]]
| president = Tom Andrews
| President = [[Tom Andrews]]
| league = [[Shute Shield]]
| league = [[Shute Shield]]
| teams = [[1st Grade - 4th Grade, 1st - 3rd Colts, Womens plus an emerging 7s program.]]
| position =
| position =
| url = www.westharbourrugby.com.au
| url = https://westharbourrugby.com.au/
|pattern_la1 =_westharbourleft
|pattern_la1 = _westharbourleft
|pattern_b1 =_westharbourkit
|pattern_b1 = _westharbourkit
|pattern_ra1 =_westharbourright
|pattern_ra1 = _westharbourright
|pattern_sh1 =_westharbourshorts
|pattern_sh1 = _westharbourshorts
|pattern_so1 =_westharboursocks
|pattern_so1 = _westharboursocks
|leftarm1 = FF0000
|leftarm1 = FF0000
|body1 = FF0000
|body1 = FF0000
|rightarm1 =FF0000
|rightarm1 = FF0000
|shorts1 = FF0000
|shorts1 = FF0000
|socks1 = FF0000
|socks1 = FF0000
}}
}}
⚫
The '''West Harbour Rugby Football Club''' is a team in the [[Shute Shield]], the premier club [[rugby union]] football competition in [[New South Wales]]. The club is based in [[Concord, New South Wales|Concord]] in the [[Inner West]] of Sydney, and plays home matches at [[Concord Oval]]. Concord holds a place in rugby history as a venue for the inaugural [[Rugby World Cup]] in 1987. West Harbour's major sponsor is Burwood RSL and post match functions are held at Club Burwood. In 2020, the Pirates would play out of Drummoyne Oval as Concord Oval being NRL club Wests Tigers' training ground, the venue was deemed off limits for people in excess of the "bubble".

⚫
The '''West Harbour Rugby Football Club''' is a team in the [[Shute Shield]], the premier club [[rugby union]] football competition in [[New South Wales]]. The club is based in [[Concord, New South Wales|Concord]] in the [[Inner West]] of Sydney, and plays home matches at [[Concord Oval]]. Concord holds a place in rugby history as a venue for the inaugural [[Rugby World Cup]] in 1987. West Harbour's major sponsor is Burwood RSL and post match functions are held at Club Burwood.


== Club information ==
== Club information ==
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'''Between the Wars'''
'''Between the Wars'''


Western Suburbs enjoyed a golden era after the war when Secretary Francis Joseph Herlihy co-opted T.C. (Iron Guts) Davis, Larry Wogan, and Charlie Rea to help lift the club’s fortunes. They built a playing strength that enabled Western Suburbs to figure prominently in the competition for years and to win the competition in 1929
Western Suburbs enjoyed a golden era after the war when Secretary Francis Joseph Herlihy co-opted Tom.S.R (Iron Guts) Davis, Larry Wogan, and Charlie Rea to help lift the club’s fortunes. They built a playing strength that enabled Western Suburbs to figure prominently in the competition for years and to win the competition in 1929


The brothers Geoff (1929) and Keith Storey (1936) entered international football from Western Suburbs followed by Sid King (1929), M.R.Blair (1931), T.S.Lawton (1929), A.Thorpe (1929), P.K.Collins (1937), R.L.F.Kelly (1936), R.E.M.McLaughlin (1936), T.P.Pauling (1936), and Cecil Ramalli (1938). Phil Hardcastle was an established Test player when he joined the club from Easts in 1948.
The brothers Geoff (1929) and Keith Storey (1936) entered international football from Western Suburbs followed by Sid King (1929), M.R.Blair (1931), T.S.Lawton (1929), A.Thorpe (1929), P.K.Collins (1937), R.L.F.Kelly (1936), R.E.M.McLaughlin (1936), T.P.Pauling (1936), and Cecil Ramalli (1938). Phil Hardcastle was an established Test player when he joined the club from Easts in 1948.
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'''Relegation and Promotion'''
'''Relegation and Promotion'''


Western Suburbs were unceremoniously relegated to the second division in 1952 and faired poorly until promoted back into 1st Division in 1966. It was at this point that the club’s fortunes changed when Rufus Miahere joined as 1st Grade coach in 1970. Miahere began with seven wins in 1971 and eight wins in 1972. In 1973 he lifted the Club back to the glory it had enjoyed in the 1930’s by winning 17 matches in a row. Western Suburbs won the Club Championships that year and the season was flawed only by a loss to Randwick in the Grand Final. That year Laurie Monaghan became the Club’s first test player since World War II, followed shortly after by one of Sydney’s true Rugby characters, Mick Ellem.
Western Suburbs were unceremoniously relegated to the second division in 1952 and fared poorly until promoted back into 1st Division in 1966. It was at this point that the club’s fortunes changed when Rufus Miahere joined as 1st Grade coach in 1970. Miahere began with seven wins in 1971 and eight wins in 1972. In 1973 he lifted the Club back to the glory it had enjoyed in the 1930s by winning 17 matches in a row. Western Suburbs won the Club Championships that year and the season was flawed only by a loss to Randwick in the Grand Final. That year Laurie Monaghan became the Club’s first test player since World War II, followed shortly after by one of Sydney’s true Rugby characters, Mick Ellem.


The Club was once again relegated to 2nd Division in 1980 and then promoted back to 1st Division in 1981. In 1982, the Club had discussions with the Sydney Rugby Union regarding the upgrade of Concord Oval. The Club made a donation of $250,000 to the NSWRU, which allowed the State Government to provide a further $1 million and saw Concord Oval transformed into a world class rugby venue, which in 1987 saw more than 25,000 people attend the World Cup semi-final match between Australia and France.
The Club was once again relegated to 2nd Division in 1980 and then promoted back to 1st Division in 1981. In 1982, the Club had discussions with the Sydney Rugby Union regarding the upgrade of Concord Oval. The Club made a donation of $250,000 to the NSWRU, which allowed the State Government to provide a further $1 million and saw Concord Oval transformed into a world class rugby venue, which in 1987 saw more than 25,000 people attend the World Cup semi-final match between Australia and France.
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'''Resurgence and Professionalism'''
'''Resurgence and Professionalism'''


The 1980’s and 90’s saw a resurgence in the Club’s strength. Stephen James represented Australia in a number of Test series from 1986 and Fili Finau wore the green and gold on a French Tour in 1993.
The 1980s and '90s saw a resurgence in the Club’s strength. Stephen James represented Australia in a number of Test series from 1986 and Fili Finau wore the green and gold on a French Tour in 1993.


In 1995, the Club changed its name to the West Harbour Rugby Football Club to more truly reflect the Club’s location in the inner west of the harbour city. In 1997, Fili Finau once again represented Australia, this time against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup. Jason Madz and Fili Finau also featured prominently for the NSW Super 12 side during this period.
In 1995, the Club changed its name to the West Harbour Rugby Football Club to more truly reflect the Club’s location in the inner west of the harbour city. In 1997, Fili Finau once again represented Australia, this time against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup. Jason Madz and Fili Finau also featured prominently for the NSW Super 12 side during this period.


Steve Devine represented NSW and Australia U/21’s and played with the Waratahs before signing a Super 12 contract with the Auckland Blues. Steve was then selected as a member of the All Blacks eventually playing 13 tests for New Zealand. Pierre Hola capped off a fine 2001 season by being selected in the Tongan national team and was a member of the Tongan 2003 World Cup Squad.
Steve Devine represented NSW and Australia U/21s and played with the Waratahs before signing a Super 12 contract with the Auckland Blues. Steve was then selected as a member of the All Blacks eventually playing 13 tests for New Zealand. Pierre Hola capped off a fine 2001 season by being selected in the Tongan national team and was a member of the Tongan 2003 World Cup Squad.


In 2000/01 Des Tuiavii played for the ACT Brumbies before taking up a NSW Waratahs contract for the 2002/03 seasons. Des won both the Sydney Morning Herald’s Player of the Year and the NSWRU Ken Catchpole Medal in 2001 and played his 100th 1st Grade game for West Harbour in 2003. Des finished a remarkable 2003 season by playing for the Samoan side in the 2003 World Cup.
In 2000/01 Des Tuiavii played for the ACT Brumbies before taking up a NSW Waratahs contract for the 2002/03 seasons. Des won both the Sydney Morning Herald’s Player of the Year and the NSWRU Ken Catchpole Medal in 2001 and played his 100th 1st Grade game for West Harbour in 2003. Des finished a remarkable 2003 season by playing for the Samoan side in the 2003 World Cup.
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89 players have been selected for representative honours with the New South Wales Waratahs and many others have played with other Super Rugby franchises.
89 players have been selected for representative honours with the New South Wales Waratahs and many others have played with other Super Rugby franchises.


==International Representatives==
==International representatives==
{{col-float|firstcol=18em}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Stanley Wickham]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Stanley Wickham]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Warden Clarrie Prentice]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Ward Prentice]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Larry Wogan]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Larry Wogan]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Clarence S Prentice]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Clarrie Prentice]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Thomas S R Davies]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Tom Davis (rugby union)|Tom Davis]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Roger Barton]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Roger Barton (rugby union)|Roger Barton]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Thomas S Lawton]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Tom Lawton Snr|Tom Lawton]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[George McKay]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[George McKay (rugby union)|George McKay]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[John W Shute]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[John W. Shute]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Reginald E Lane]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Reg Lane]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Alexander Armstrong]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Alexander Armstrong (rugby union)|Alexander Armstrong]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Hugh Buntine]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Hugh Buntine]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Harry W Bryant]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Harry Bryant]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[P Bruce Judd]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bruce Judd (rugby union)|Bruce Judd]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Sid King]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Syd King (rugby union)|Syd King]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Geoff Storey]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Geoff Storey]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Malcolm R Blair]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Malcolm Blair]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Harold Bartley]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Harold Bartley]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Eric Bardsley]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Eric Bardsley]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[John O'Donnell (rugby union)|John O'Donnell]]
{{col-float-break|nextcol=18em}}
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[John O'Donnell]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Cam Gordon (rugby union)|Cam Gordon]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[George Gordon]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Alan Thorpe (rugby union)|Alan Thorpe]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Alan Thorpe]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Paul Collins (rugby union, born 1915)|Paul Collins]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[P.K.Collins]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Russ Kelly|Russell Kelly]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Russell L F Kelly]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bill McLaughlin]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[R E M Bill McLaughlin]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Tom Pauling (rugby union)|Tom Pauling]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Thomas P Pauling]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Keith Storey (rugby union)|Keith Storey]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Keith Storey]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Paul K Collins]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Cecil Ramalli]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Cecil Ramalli]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Phil Hardcastle]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Phil Hardcastle]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[James Walsh]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Jim Walsh (rugby union)|Jim Walsh]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Geoffrey Vaughan]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Geoffrey Vaughan]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Barry Stumbles]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Barry Stumbles]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Laurence Monaghan]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Laurence Monaghan]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Michael Ellem]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Mick Ellem]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Stephen L K James]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Steve James (rugby)|Steve James]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Anthony Daly]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Tony Daly|Anthony Daly]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Michael Foley]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Michael Foley (rugby union)|Michael Foley]]
{{col-float-break|nextcol=18em}}
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Fili Finau]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Fili Finau]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[W K (Bill) Young]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bill Young (rugby union)|Bill Young]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Lote Tuqiri]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Lote Tuqiri (rugby, born 1979)|Lote Tuqiri]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Matthew J Dunning]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Matt Dunning]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Rodney Blake]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Rodney Blake]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Timana Tahu]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Timana Tahu]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[James O'Connor]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[James O'Connor (rugby union)|James O'Connor]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Salesi Ma'afu]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Salesi Ma'afu]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Scott Sio]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Scott Sio]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Taqele Naiyaravoro]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Taqele Naiyaravoro]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Allan Alaalatoa]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Allan Alaalatoa]]
{{col-float-end}}
{{div col end}}


==Former players who have represented other nations==
==Former players who have represented other nations==
{{col-float|firstcol=18em}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}} Fergus Keogh, (Ireland)
* {{flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}} [[Fergus Keogh]], (Ireland)
* {{flagicon|Tonga}} Tali Kavapalu, (Tonga)
* {{flagicon|Tonga}} Tali Kavapalu, (Tonga)
* {{flagicon|Fiji}} Watisoni Nasalo, (Fiji)
* {{flagicon|Fiji}} Watisoni Nasalo, (Fiji)
Line 148: Line 144:
* {{flagicon|Wales}} [[Richard Moriarty]], (Wales)
* {{flagicon|Wales}} [[Richard Moriarty]], (Wales)
* {{flagicon|Wales}} [[Paul Moriarty (rugby)|Paul Moriarty]], (Wales)
* {{flagicon|Wales}} [[Paul Moriarty (rugby)|Paul Moriarty]], (Wales)
* {{flagicon|Samoa}} [[Vili Alaalatoa|Vili Ala'alatoa]], (Samoa)
* {{flagicon|Samoa}} [[Vili Alaalatoa]], (Samoa)
* {{flagicon|Tonga}} Fetaiaki Langi, (Tonga)
* {{flagicon|Tonga}} Fetaiaki Langi, (Tonga)
* {{flagicon|Samoa}} Fua Veiru, (Samoa)
* {{flagicon|Samoa}} Fua Veiru, (Samoa)
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* {{flagicon|Lebanon}} Jason Khoury, ({{nrut|Lebanon}})
* {{flagicon|Lebanon}} Jason Khoury, ({{nrut|Lebanon}})
* {{flagicon|Lebanon}} Anthony Manassa, ({{nrut|Lebanon}})
* {{flagicon|Lebanon}} Anthony Manassa, ({{nrut|Lebanon}})
{{col-float-break|nextcol=18em}}
* {{flagicon|Fiji}} Ben Volavola, ({{nrut|Fiji}})
* {{flagicon|Fiji}} Ben Volavola, ({{nrut|Fiji}})
* {{flagicon|New Zealand}} Zac Guildford, ({{nrut|New Zealand}})
* {{flagicon|New Zealand}} Zac Guildford, ({{nrut|New Zealand}})
* {{flagicon|Tonga}} Wayne Ngaluafe, ({{nrut|Tonga}})
* {{flagicon|Tonga}} [[Wayne Ngaluafe]], ({{nrut|Tonga}})
* {{flagicon|Tonga}} Sione Tau, ({{nrut|Tonga}})
* {{flagicon|Tonga}} Sione Tau, ({{nrut|Tonga}})
* {{flagicon|Philippines}} Daniel Ricky Kucia, ({{nrut|Philippines}})
* {{flagicon|Philippines}} Daniel Ricky Kucia, ({{nrut|Philippines}})
Line 171: Line 166:
* {{flagicon|Fiji}} Albert Tuisue, ({{nrut|Fiji}})
* {{flagicon|Fiji}} Albert Tuisue, ({{nrut|Fiji}})
* {{flagicon|Philippines}} Ned Rush Stephenson, ({{nrut|Philippines}})
* {{flagicon|Philippines}} Ned Rush Stephenson, ({{nrut|Philippines}})
* {{flagicon|Samoa}} Michael Ala'alatoa, ({{nrut|Samoa}})
* {{flagicon|Samoa}} Michael Alaalatoa, ({{nrut|Samoa}})
⚫
{{div col end}}

⚫
{{col-float-end}}


==Current Super Rugby players==
==Current Super Rugby players==
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* [[Rory Sidey]], ([[New South Wales Waratahs|Waratahs]])
* [[Rory Sidey]], ([[New South Wales Waratahs|Waratahs]])
* [[Alofa Alofa]], ([[New South Wales Waratahs|Waratahs]])
* [[Alofa Alofa]], ([[New South Wales Waratahs|Waratahs]])
* Cameron Orr, ([[New South Wales Waratahs|Waratahs]])
* Cameron Orr, ([[Melbourne Rebels]])
* [[Jack Debreczeni]], ([[Melbourne Rebels]])
* [[Jack Debreczeni]], ([[Chiefs (rugby union)|Chiefs]])
* [[Michael Alaalatoa]], ([[Crusaders]])
* [[Michael Alaalatoa]], ([[Crusaders (rugby union)|Crusaders]])
* [[Allan Alaalatoa]], ([[Brumbies]])
* [[Allan Alaalatoa]], ([[Brumbies]])
* [[Tiaan Swanepoel]], ([[Lions (Super Rugby)|Lions]])


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name =smh-29-03-1900>{{cite news
|date=29 March 1900
|title=Football. District club at Burwood
|work=The Sydney Morning Herald
|url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14302501
|accessdate=14 April 2017}}
</ref>

<ref name =referee-03-09-1902>{{cite news
|date=3 September 1902
|title=Sydney Rugby Premiership
|work=Referee |location=Sydney
|url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120116754
|accessdate=14 April 2017}}
</ref>

<ref name =smh-11-03-1995>{{cite news
|date=11 March 1995
|title=Rugby – The new order
|work=The Sydney Morning Herald
|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&docID=news950311_0036_3759
|accessdate=14 April 2017
|url-status=live
|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20170414023305/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&docID=news950311_0036_3759
|archivedate=14 April 2017}}</ref>
}}
}}
;Sources
*{{cite news | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14302501 | title=Football. District club at Burwood | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=29 March 1900 | access-date=14 April 2017}}
*{{cite news | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120116754 | title=Sydney Rugby Premiership | work=Referee | date=3 September 1902 | access-date=14 April 2017 | location=Sydney}}
*{{cite news | url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&docID=news950311_0036_3759 | title=Rugby – The new order | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=11 March 1995 | access-date=14 April 2017 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20170414023305/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&docID=news950311_0036_3759 | archive-date=14 April 2017 | url-status=live}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{official website}}
*[http://www.westharbour.rugbynet.com.au/ Official club website]
*[http://www.actionannouncing.com/ Club's 2022 Stadium Announcer]


{{NSWRU}}
{{NSWRU}}

Latest revision as of 02:21, 19 July 2024

West Harbour
Full nameWest Harbour Rugby Football Club (1995–)
Nickname(s)Pirates
Founded1900; 124 years ago (1900) as "Western Suburbs RFC"
LocationConcord, Sydney
Ground(s)Concord Oval (Capacity: 5,000)
PresidentTom Andrews
Coach(es)Mark Gudmunson
League(s)Shute Shield
Team kit
Official website
westharbourrugby.com.au

The West Harbour Rugby Football Club is a team in the Shute Shield, the premier club rugby union football competition in New South Wales. The club is based in Concord in the Inner West of Sydney, and plays home matches at Concord Oval. Concord holds a place in rugby history as a venue for the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. West Harbour's major sponsor is Burwood RSL and post match functions are held at Club Burwood. In 2020, the Pirates would play out of Drummoyne Oval as Concord Oval being NRL club Wests Tigers' training ground, the venue was deemed off limits for people in excess of the "bubble".

Club information

[edit]
Uniform colours: Black, White and Red
Premiership Titles: 2 titles: 1902, 1929

Club history

[edit]

Beginnings

West Harbour R.F.C. was founded in 1900 as Western Suburbs D.R.U.F.C after an amalgamation between Burwood and Concord rugby clubs. The club originally fielded only two grade teams but still won the Sydney Premiership at its third attempt in 1902. Since then the club has won one other championship in 1929.

The Club’s name was changed to Western Suburbs to satisfy municipal aldermen when it sought a lease on St Lukes Oval, later Concord Oval. Western Suburbs’ boundaries were far-reaching in its early days because the club could draw on players from Concord to the Harbour, south to Port Hacking, north to the Parramatta River, and west to the Blue Mountains. When Parramatta, St George, Drummoyne, Gordon and Eastwood joined the competition these boundaries were reduced.

Between the Wars

Western Suburbs enjoyed a golden era after the war when Secretary Francis Joseph Herlihy co-opted Tom.S.R (Iron Guts) Davis, Larry Wogan, and Charlie Rea to help lift the club’s fortunes. They built a playing strength that enabled Western Suburbs to figure prominently in the competition for years and to win the competition in 1929

The brothers Geoff (1929) and Keith Storey (1936) entered international football from Western Suburbs followed by Sid King (1929), M.R.Blair (1931), T.S.Lawton (1929), A.Thorpe (1929), P.K.Collins (1937), R.L.F.Kelly (1936), R.E.M.McLaughlin (1936), T.P.Pauling (1936), and Cecil Ramalli (1938). Phil Hardcastle was an established Test player when he joined the club from Easts in 1948.

Relegation and Promotion

Western Suburbs were unceremoniously relegated to the second division in 1952 and fared poorly until promoted back into 1st Division in 1966. It was at this point that the club’s fortunes changed when Rufus Miahere joined as 1st Grade coach in 1970. Miahere began with seven wins in 1971 and eight wins in 1972. In 1973 he lifted the Club back to the glory it had enjoyed in the 1930s by winning 17 matches in a row. Western Suburbs won the Club Championships that year and the season was flawed only by a loss to Randwick in the Grand Final. That year Laurie Monaghan became the Club’s first test player since World War II, followed shortly after by one of Sydney’s true Rugby characters, Mick Ellem.

The Club was once again relegated to 2nd Division in 1980 and then promoted back to 1st Division in 1981. In 1982, the Club had discussions with the Sydney Rugby Union regarding the upgrade of Concord Oval. The Club made a donation of $250,000 to the NSWRU, which allowed the State Government to provide a further $1 million and saw Concord Oval transformed into a world class rugby venue, which in 1987 saw more than 25,000 people attend the World Cup semi-final match between Australia and France.

Resurgence and Professionalism

The 1980s and '90s saw a resurgence in the Club’s strength. Stephen James represented Australia in a number of Test series from 1986 and Fili Finau wore the green and gold on a French Tour in 1993.

In 1995, the Club changed its name to the West Harbour Rugby Football Club to more truly reflect the Club’s location in the inner west of the harbour city. In 1997, Fili Finau once again represented Australia, this time against New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup. Jason Madz and Fili Finau also featured prominently for the NSW Super 12 side during this period.

Steve Devine represented NSW and Australia U/21s and played with the Waratahs before signing a Super 12 contract with the Auckland Blues. Steve was then selected as a member of the All Blacks eventually playing 13 tests for New Zealand. Pierre Hola capped off a fine 2001 season by being selected in the Tongan national team and was a member of the Tongan 2003 World Cup Squad.

In 2000/01 Des Tuiavii played for the ACT Brumbies before taking up a NSW Waratahs contract for the 2002/03 seasons. Des won both the Sydney Morning Herald’s Player of the Year and the NSWRU Ken Catchpole Medal in 2001 and played his 100th 1st Grade game for West Harbour in 2003. Des finished a remarkable 2003 season by playing for the Samoan side in the 2003 World Cup.

In the early to mid 2000s, West Harbour had a number of players in the NSW Waratah and Junior Waratah squads including Lote Tuqiri, Timana Tahu, Chris O’Young and Elia Tiqiri all represented the Waratahs in 2004. Chris Siale and Rodney Blake represented the Australia U/21 side in the IRB Championships in Scotland. Both subsequently signed Super 12 contracts.

Seven West Harbour players Penny Anderson, Louise Ferris, Charmain Smith, Debby Hodgkinson, Tui Ormsby, Nyree Osieck, Pearl Palaialii represented the Australian Wallaroos at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Spain in 2002. Debby Hodgkinson was named the SMH “Player of the Year” for the 2004 season.

The Current Era

Since 2010, the Club’s fortunes have been mixed with periods of strong success and frustrating disappointments. With a seemingly transient playing population and a number of successive short term presidents and coaches, the Club has lacked a great deal of stability and has seen a high turnover of players.

The tenure of experienced coach, Tod Louden, which came to an end at the culmination of the 2018 season saw another mass exodus of players. Yet the Club’s newly appointed board acted quickly to engage long time club man, Mark Gudmenson, as Head Coach, who in turn was successful season in bringing a sense of stability to the Club for the 2019 season driven by a competitive 1st Grade team.

West Harbour is leaving Concord Oval in the 2020 season for two years as Canada Bay Council build a new state of the art stadium. The Club will be playing its home matches at Drummoyne Oval for the next two years, after which time West Harbour will return to Concord Oval, which will be the envy of the eleven Clubs in the Shute Shield.

Representatives

Overall 48 players who have played for the Club have gone on to represent the Wallabies, along with the large number of Wallabies and Wallaroos representative players. Due to the diverse nature of West Harbour Rugby Club, 36 players have gone on to represent other nations in international rugby including Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malta, Croatia and Lebanon.

89 players have been selected for representative honours with the New South Wales Waratahs and many others have played with other Super Rugby franchises.

International representatives

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Former players who have represented other nations

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Current Super Rugby players

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References

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Sources
  • "Football. District club at Burwood". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 March 1900. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  • "Sydney Rugby Premiership". Referee. Sydney. 3 September 1902. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  • "Rugby – The new order". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 March 1995. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
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