Rugby in the central western area of NSW has grown at a steady pace since the middle of last century. In those days Rugby was played in the then established areas of Bathurst and Orange districts. Records show that there were games played there circa 1874, and a photograph of the 1899 Dubbo XV can be found on the wall of the Dubbo clubhouse.
Rugby in Australia is officially 125 years old, the NSW Rugby Union celebrating its Centenary in 1974. NSW is of course the oldest union in Australia. However, the game of rugby was played well before the official Union was formed, and there is evidence that many clubs were active in the central West at that time.
Teams roamed the countryside looking for games, and usually, these were played between districts of the same area, rather than between towns or cities as transport was a major constraint. Games were rather disorganised gatherings, as teams comprised of fifteen to fifty players. Team colours were unknown, and one played in whatever clothing one was wearing at the time. The referee kept a safe distance from both teams, as anything was likely to happen. In fact some photos have shown the referee refereeing from the sideline, furled umbrella in hand. No doubt the umbrella was used as a form of protection (not from the rain) in case things got out of hand.
After some semblance of order was achieved with the formation of the NSW Union in 1874, some teams chose their colours and games were played on a more organised basis. Since then, teams came and went, some would last a year or so, whilst others battled on for a considerable time. Wartime called a halt to competition, as did the Great Depression of the 1930's. In the early 1950's, Wellington and district fielded some seven rugby teams in a district competition. Teams from Goolma, Gollan, Neurea and four Wellington itself played in a local knockout.
The Dubbo Club was re-formed in 1963 after a lapse of six years. Their colours for the year were white jerseys and whatever shorts and socks were available at the time. Owing to a clash of colours with the Walgett team, Dubbo changed to sky blue jerseys the next year. In 1967 Dubbo first entered teams in the central West competition. In the early 70's a red kangaroo was added.
In 1973 after a lapse of some 20 years, Goolma rejoined the zone, as did Wellington after an absence of four years. Mitchell College embarrassed by numbers, entered a 3rd XV to match Orange Emus 3rds. 1974 saw Parkes Club leave the zone to join South West, for geographical reasons, (but return in the late 90`s) and two new clubs Orange City and Orange Agriculture College joined the ranks of Central West.
In 1976 Lithgow commenced playing again after a 63-year absence from the game. In 1971 there were ten active clubs in this zone. And then this grew to 13 in the mid 70's. Such was the dramatic growth of Rugby in the zone that it was necessary to restructure the competition so that is was shorter and that travelling was reduced.
In 1980 after a 19-year lapse Central west won the Caldwell Cup, thus becoming the NSW Country Champions. Central West has won the Caldwell Cup 8 times, the latest year being 1996. The zone competition in 1980 consisted of 8 clubs each fielding 3 teams. The Central west competition was widely regarded as the strongest in the NSW Country. This was the first year 3rd grade was conducted, and Emus and Orange city also had 4th grade sides.
Junior and school rugby was also on the rise with St Stanislaus College Bathurst winning the prestigious Waratah Shield in 1980 and 1981. Stannies would go on to win the shield a number of other occasions including as recent as 1995. 1980 also saw the central west under 18's win the NSW Country Junior Championships for the first time.
The mid eighties saw a further rise in the junior ranks, with the Dubbo Blue Heeler Club providing junior sides until the late eighties. In 1990 the Dubbo Junior Rugby Club was born to bolster the rapidly expanding Central West Junior competition. The follow on from the establishment of the Juniors was evident by Dubbo High School claiming victory in the NSW Country Schools Year 10 Knockout "Wiburd Shield" in 1994.
During the last 30 years there have been a number of Central West clubs secure licensed premises. The Dubbo club was the first in 1971 followed by a number of others including Bathurst, Emus, Orange City, Wellington, Mudgee and Forbes. These establishments provided not only a great venue for all rugby supporters, but a solid base for local the local club. As well many clubs now have their own grounds, further adding to the consolidation of rugby in the zone.
Central West rugby has been recognised by both state and national unions as being worthy of hosting many internationals over the past 70 years. Central West has hosted the following international teams since 1933 the New Zealand All Blacks (Orange 1933, Parkes 1951, Orange 1960, Dubbo 1974), New Zealand Maori XV (Dubbo 1934, Orange 1958), Fiji (Dubbo 1952, Orange 1961), South African Springboks (Orange 1937, 1971, 1993), Scotland (Bathurst 1970, 1998), France (Dubbo 1981), USA (Dubbo 1983), England Schools (Bathurst 1974, Dubbo 1979), Ireland (Orange 1974) and The British Lions (Dubbo 1989).
In general, Senior and junior rugby have progressed so rapidly this decade that Central West is the strongest that the zone has seen. There are 27 clubs represented in central west competitions. There are over 60 teams playing in 3 divisions within the Central West boundaries. In 1999 Central West reaches from Blackheath in the east to Coonabarabran in the north, and Coolah in the northeast to Forbes in the southwest. Central west Junior rugby continues to grow as well.
From Under 8's to our Australian XV, and internationally rugby is on a roll. But that really comes as no surprise - after all it's the best game in the world.
