History
Rugby in the North Brisbane area first took shape in 1929, with the Eagle Junction Club competing for many years before disappearing from the Brisbane Rugby scene in the 1950's. This void was filled in 1961 when the Teachers Training College at Kedron fielded teams in the Brisbane Senior competition. The first premiership was won in 1963. Hugh Courtney, then Principal of the College, maintained Teachers Rugby Club throughout the 60's and the early 70's. 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 70's, winning a 1st Grade premiership in 1976. The Club also produced a number of Australian and Qld 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, a number of players distinguished themselves at 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 100 Wallabies of all time, being Greg Cornelsen, Michael O’Connor and Chris Roche
During most of the late 70's, the Teachers Norths club had no fewer than 5 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 turn-over 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 Rd 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 90's the club was still represented from time to time at 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 90's. 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 Queensland University of Technology (QUT) adding to the list of changes over the course of our history. QUT had previously competed as QIT (Queensland Institute of Technology) 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.
2005 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 which saw them defeat the mighty Randwick Club in 2009, as well as 2009 Premiers Brothers, and 2009 Australian Club Champions Easts.
Through Chris, Norths have formed a very strong relationship with PNG Rugby Players and is now the club of choice for players of PNG heritage. In 2009 Australia's most consistent Wallaby and current Queensland Captain, Will Genia, elected to join his brother Frank at Norths.
2010 has seen an infux 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 2nd Grade captained by Dan Thompson claimed the title with an undefeated season.
In 2015 new Reds recruit Hendrix Tui joined the club and completed his recovery from injury to play a number of Premier grade games for the Eagles. Talented young Premier Grade prop Garrath Ryan was rewarded for his breakout 2014 season making the Reds U20 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 Womens 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 2nd 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, 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 5 wins, and Reserve Grade and first grade notched up 6 wins a piece. 2nd Grade while not as success as recent years reformed, and changed focus to become the nursery for young and developing players.
Participation in our 2016 Colts program was strong again, with several talented youngsters unearthed during 2016 season, including Colt of the Year Tom Da Forno & Rising Eagle Jacob Pinkney.
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 200 women attending Ladies Day and several thousand people at our annual Junior Day clash against Brothers. The 15s season was rounded out with a large annual Awards Night with some 180 people in attendance to see Nick Chapman win the inaugural Norths Barker Family Medal for Premier Grade Best and Fairest Player.
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. Game days and social events broke attendance record with some of the largest crowds and events in recent memory. Premier grade improved on 2016 and notched up seven wins and were unlucky not to make the finals together with a very competitive 3rd grade side. The 15s season was rounded out in August with the annual Awards Night, with some 200 people in attendance to see in boom prop Tonga Ma’afu claim the Norths Barker Family Medal for Premier Grade Best and Fairest Player.
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. However several teams had boom seasons including the 4th grade, 5th grade and Friday teams all making the finals series. Following the Premier Rugby Season Norths hosted Brisbane City v Western Force at Hugh Courtney Oval in front of bumper crowd of several thousand fans. The season was then rounded out with the annual Awards Night, with some 200 people in attendance to see stand-out loose forward Reece Hewat claim the Norths Barker Family Medal for Premier Grade Best and Farest.
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, and we have seen both good and lean times there have been many great people who have acted to drive the club moving forward. The club acknowledges and is appreciative all those who have served as either as a player, volunteer, coach or administrator.
