About Us

Club History

Whampoa Fraser arrived in Hamilton as acting principal of Hamilton High School, and soon identified the need for the school to have an Old Boys Association​​​​​​​. It was tough times with World War 1 in full swing and most of the men of prime playing age posted overseas, but Fraser could see the benefits of using rugby to take the boys minds off the horrors of war.
Hamilton High School Old Boys RFC was subsequently formed and while the game at the time was mainly confined to those under military age, it was the start of what was to become the most championship-winning club in Waikato over the next 100 years.

When Old Boys was formed in 1916 the club did not have any clubrooms or grounds which they could call their own. Over the coming years Old Boys had multiple venues for meetings and trainings, starting with the first annual meeting in the offices of Swarbrick and Swarbrick, followed by temporary clubrooms in the old State Fire Office, training in the old Argus newspaper printing rooms. Later practices were held in front of the old Brighton Private Hotel, and the occasional training at Steele Park. Practice sessions moved to the Army Drill Hall in Knox St, then moved to the Old Horse Bazaar in 1925. Five years later all training venues were transferred to Rugby Park. In the mid-50s Old Boys leased the old motorcycle hall for their clubrooms and later leased the tennis pavilion on Hinemoa Park. But it soon became clear that Old Boys needed their own clubrooms, and they began fundraising and looking around for a suitable site. A site by Rugby Park became available, other clubs were interested but Old Boys got the nod, $23,000 was raised to build the clubrooms and they were open by HD Tait in August 1964.

In 1982 Old Boys bought out City, who were sited by the Old Boys changing rooms, also with the purchase came the extra training ground now known as Fred Jones Park. Old Boys had to level and develop this ground from scratch so rugby could be played on it.
In 1990-91 the indoor training centre was built. It was originally a storage good shed at the Tokoroa railway station. John West had seen this shed for sale, so it was purchased for $2500 and taken apart and trucked to its present site at Old Boys.

Since the opening, many alterations and additions have been made to the clubrooms and facilities. Squash courts were built in the early 1970s. Early 1990 the main bar and kitchen were changed and renovated, and the Don McKenzie Lounge was built. Changing rooms were extended in 2004, and in 2010 the training shed had a new synthetic floor laid.

As Old Boys members we are very proud of our facilities and continue to strive to have the best ones in the Waikato.

Thank you to all our members from over 100 years, that have played, coached, managed, volunteered, supported and contributed to Hamilton Old Boys, to make this club a great club in Waikato.

Main Entrance

North Entrance

Fred Jones Park

John West Training Centre

Become a Member.

Are you looking for a strong club to support?

Become a member of Hamilton Old Boys Rugby and Sports Club.
Benefits to all Hamilton Old Boys members:

• Contribute financially to the running of the club
• Access to the club under liquor licensing laws
• Invites to club events
• Showing your support to our great club

Fill out our form for more information and different membership options