Rugby centenary

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Tags: anniversaries, centenary, rugby, sport, winter-2012

UQ rugby players clash with Easts in 1976

While 2011 proved to be the year of the dragon in premier grade, it will also be remembered as one of the most important years in UQ Rugby’s illustrious history.

In its centenary year, the club claimed the Doughty Shield (awarded for the most cumulative points across all grades) for a second consecutive season; captain James Hanson and teammates Luke Morahan, Rod Davies and Jonno Lance played for the premiership-winning Queensland Reds team; and a successful tour to the UK featured victories over Cambridge and Oxford.

The Cambridge match was particularly emotional, as the team played for the Halley Appleby Memorial Shield, named in honour of their late friend and teammate.

“It was a big year for all of us,” UQ Rugby Football Club general manager David Enfantie said.

“We’ve been through a lot, but our hard work is paying off and that’s evident as we had five teams play grand finals at the end of 2011.”

The UQ Rugby clubhouse was also closed early last year as floods wreaked havoc on the training grounds, but the club pulled through thanks to the players’ support. A newly renovated facility was opened in May to coincide with the first home game of the season.

2011 was a successful one off the field too, with approximately 500 people including former Wallabies Greg Martin and Dr Mark Loane attending a centenary dinner.

“It was a great night for all involved,” Mr Enfantie said.

“We’ve had a lot of great players involved with this club and it’s great to see them still around.”

Mr Enfantie said winning the Doughty Shield reflected the hard work all UQ players had put in throughout the year.

One hundred years of UQ rugby has seen many wonderful achievements including 24 premier grade titles and many representative honours. One can only hope the next 100 years prove to be as memorable.

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