History

Rugby in North Brisbane first took shape in 1929, with the Eagle Junction Club competing for many years before leaving the Brisbane Rugby scene in the ’50s. The void was filled in 1961 when the Teachers Training College at Kedron, fielded teams in the Brisbane Senior Competition. Our first premiership was won shortly after in 1963. Hugh Courtney, then Principal of the College, maintained the Teachers Rugby Club throughout the ’60s and early ’70s. An amalgamation in 1974 with the new entity ‘Norths’ saw the emergence of the Teachers Norths Rugby Club.

Teachers Norths enjoyed a successful decade in the seventies, winning a First Grade premiership in 1976. The Club also produced several Australian and Queensland players. Wallabies produced by the Club included Dick Marks, John Cornes, Geoff Richardson, Laurie Lawrence, Rod Hauser, Greg Cornelsen, Tom Barker, Peter Horton, Michael O’Connor, and Chris Roche. In addition, several players distinguished themselves at the Queensland state level, including Greg Dux, Damien Barker, Peter Trehern, Michael Want, and Nev Cottrell.

Chris Roche was the first person in the history of the Rothmans Medal (the forerunner to the XXXX Medal) to win the medal twice. Nev Cottrell from Norths also was a winner of this award. Three Norths Players have been named in the top hundred Wallabies of all time, being Greg Cornelsen, Michael O’Connor, and Chris Roche

During most of the late seventies, the Teachers Norths club had no fewer than five Wallabies at any one time. We contested all finals series during this period and reached the Grand Final in 1982. The nature of the teaching profession saw a huge turnover of players, with players graduating and moving to teaching positions outside Brisbane. Teachers Norths fortunes were in decline at the time of moving to the present club facilities at Shaw Road in 1984.

A further merger with Redcliffe Rugby Club saw the emergence of the North Brisbane Club in 1991. Despite lean pickings on the field during the nineties the club was still represented from time to time at the State level (Penni Vola Vola, Rob McCartney, Isei Nasiganiyavi, and Ilie Tabua) and Eddie Harris went on to win the coveted Rothmans medal towards the end of the nineties. Norths sides coached by John Roderick, Gary Hutchinson, and Tom Barker – performed admirably during these difficult times.

Norths then formed an alliance in 2001 with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) adding to the list of changes throughout our history. QUT had previously competed as Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) with little success, winning only a U19 Premiership in 1974. This alliance has delivered less than what was originally anticipated with QUT moving away from an emphasis on sport, resulting in Norths deciding in 2008 to sever their alliance and stand alone as the North Brisbane Rugby Club.

In 2005 we saw the return of Chris Roche as the Club’s Coaching Director and through the efforts of the team of coaches and players that Chris assembled around him, and those of the Committee, Norths started a remarkable resurgence that saw them defeat the mighty Randwick Club in 2009, as well as 2009 Premiers Brothers, and 2009 Australian Club Champions Easts.

Through Chris, Norths has formed a very strong relationship with Papua New Guinea rugby players and is now the club of choice for players of Papua heritage. In 2009 Australia’s most consistent Wallaby and current Queensland Captain, Will Genia, elected to join his brother Frank at Norths.

In 2010 there was an influx of new players including former Kiwi Rugby League International Sione Faumuina, former Australian Touch International Peter Stoddart, and Broncos Under 20 Jacob Samoa and Andrew Rossiter’s return from a two year lay off due to injury. In 2011 Carlos Gavidi won the coveted Premier Rugby Player of the Year award.

The 2014 season brought the first premiership in many years with Second Grade captained by Dan Thompson claimed the title with an undefeated season.

In 2015 new Reds recruit Hendrik Tui joined the club and completed his recovery from injury to play several Premier grade games for the Eagles. Talented young Premier Grade prop Garrath Ryan was rewarded for his breakout 2014 season making the Reds Under 20 team in 2015. Our Premier Grade team in their first year under the reigns of coaches Nick Fogerty and Sio Kite have begun the process of building the team required to be competitive in Brisbane Premier Rugby. Our Women’s team was strong again in 2015 and went one step closer to its premiership aspirations, but was unfortunately knocked out this year in the major semi-final. Similarly, our 2014 Second Grade premiership team was knocked out in the quarter-final with a last-minute loss to rival Brothers. In May 2015 the club inducted seven people as “Legends”, honouring them, their commitment, and their significant contribution to North Brisbane Rugby Club.

The 2016 season saw the club take significant steps forward under the guidance of new President Kieran Prideaux, a new committee, and coaches. Several Reds players including Duncan Paia’aua, Kane Douglas, and Karmichael Hunt made the club their home in 2016 and quickly became an important part of club life. Our Premier Grade notched up five wins, and Reserve Grade and First Grade notched up six wins a piece. 

Our 2016 game days and social events were very well attended with some of the largest crowds and social events in recent memory, with some two hundred women attending Ladies Day and several thousand people at our annual Junior Day clash against Brothers.

The 2017 season saw the club soar to new heights on and off the field under the guidance of President Kieran Prideaux, a returning committee, and many returning coaches.

The 2018 season saw the club continue with strong showings on and off the field. Premier Grade notched many memorable wins at home and away, including two victories over staunch rivals Brothers, but just missing out on a 2019 finals campaign.

In 2019 Luke Oxford took over the reins as Premier grade head coach and brought with him, new systems, energy, and enthusiasm. While the clubs did not enjoy the on-field success of previous seasons, several first-grade players had stand-out seasons and went on to representative football including Nick Champan, Jordan Luke, and Dane Zander for Brisbane City. Dane was then selected to join the Reds for season 2020 preseason training to trail for a potential full contract with the Queensland Reds. 

While our history has been turbulent, there have been many great people who have acted to drive the club moving forward. The club acknowledges and is appreciative of all those who have served as either a player, volunteer, coach, or administrator.