The Sydenham Rugby Club is one of New Zealand’s oldest rugby clubs. It all started back on the 16 March 1882, when 30 prospective members met at the house of William Robinson in Cadogan Street and agreed to form a rugby club. In those days, Sydenham was mostly swamp land so Colombo Road (as it was called back then) became the playing field and the ball was a pig’s bladder stuffed with grass and paper, kindly donated by the local butcher.
These days conditions have improved significantly, but the Clubs founding commitment to sport and the local community remains unchanged. Today the Sydenham Rugby Club has one of the largest playing memberships of any club in the South Island, fielding in excess of 36 teams each week. It also has one of the largest junior club in the country - in 2007 more than 500 kids worked toward becoming tomorrow All Blacks and Black Ferns.
With a Reputation for excellent organisation, the Sydenham Rugby Club is run by dedicated band of volunteers headed up by the Rugby Manager. It has resources at four grounds and it clubrooms are based at the Cashmere Club, with facilities including a bar, restaurant, function and games rooms and two squash courts.
The Club social calendar is packed with functions throughout the rugby season, with family and friends always welcome. In fact Sydenham is well known as one of the most hospitable clubs – partners, supporters, administrators and sponsors are all encouraged to share the friendly family atmosphere.
Over the last 15 years Sydenham senior side has won the senior division championship four times and club members, Corey Flynn and Dave Hewitt played in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. However Sydenham strives to be more than just a successful Club – our aim is to promote community spirit. We give local youth the opportunity to participate in a sport within a supportive environment that fosters strong family/whanua values.