Rugby in the Bays

A History of Rugby in Golden Bay, Motueka and Murchison to 1970

Tucked away in the north-west corner of the South Island, the Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Football Union was one of the smallest of New Zealand’s provincial unions. ‘The Bays’ as it was commonly known, was formed in 1920 when it broke away from Nelson, and was in existence until the two unions amalgamated again as Nelson Bays in 1969.

‘Rugby in the Bays’ tells the story of rugby in the area right from the late 1800s when the first clubs appeared in the three sub-unions, Golden Bay, Motueka and Murchison, through to the formation of the union and on to amalgamation. The main happenings, and the fortunes of the Bays team, are recounted season by season with particular note taken of the Seddon Shield fixtures. The story of the club competitions are also covered with an account of each of the many clubs that appeared at senior level over the years.

Full statistical sections detail all of the games, and a listing showing the representative players with their personal playing records is included. There are also biographies of the All Blacks who played in the region and of the administrators who rose to prominence at national level.

The union may be long gone but there is a proud history of rugby in the area which has been waiting to be told.