HISTORY OF THE CALGARY RUGBY UNION

Records indicate that in the summer of 1883, Calgary based Mounted Police issued a challenge to any other fifteen men to a game of football - rugby rules. The local Barracks Field was the site of the games played in 1884 and 1885.

With the introduction of gridiron style football, rugby in Calgary changed modes of play. Newspapers tended to confuse North American Football with rugby and one had to follow scores closely to determine whether the events reported were rugby or gridiron. Rugby gained in popularity and was played regularly in Calgary between the two wars.

In 1954 the Calgary Rugby Club laid the foundation that has seen rugby active to the present day. Sportswriter Henry Viney, in June of 1954, wrote:

"Rugby has gained enough prominence that four teams are already active in competition. Player personnel within the various clubs read like a United Nations roll call. The Calgary teams consist of Canadians, South Africans, Australians, New Zealanders and players from the British Isles".

The first inter-city match was played at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton on May 28, 1954 ending in a 3-3 draw.

The Calgary Rugby Club changed names in September of 1957 to become known as the "Calgary Barbarians RFC". In 1958, the Barbarians disbanded to become the "Saints" and "Saracens" Rugby Clubs. A small number of players also formed the "Spartans RFC", changing their names to the "Calgary Rams" in the fall of 1958.

With the addition of the "Hornets" in 1960 and the University of Calgary "Stags" in 1963, rugby gained a stronghold in the city. The stags came forward to dominate on the Calgary and Alberta rugby scene for many years. Unfortunately forces working against rugby at the University won the day and the Stags were forced to fold - a sad day for our sport.

School teams from four different local schools introduced a schedule of games in 1968 and Calgary now enjoys a solid schools program and great rivalry.

1969 brought the addition of the "Canucks" to the League. "Lethbridge" followed in 1971, joining the Calgary Second Division league and remains a strong member of the union. The "Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club" was also accepted into the Calgary Rugby Union in 1971 and has made great strides to become a leading club in Calgary and Alberta rugby.

Rural clubs in "Banff', "Medicine Hat", "Canmore" and the Foothills, who combined High River and Okotoks to form the "Lions", have come into existence.

The 1980's saw the formation of Women's rugby, the "Renegades" in 1980 and the "Stingers" in 1991. In 1999 the "Calgary Rams", "Saracens", "Saints", "Banff' and "Lethbridge" entered the women's league expanding it to seven teams.

Over the years, the Calgary Rugby Union has hosted many great games and tournaments at the Kingsland Rugby Park. In 1999 the Calgary Rugby Park moved to 9025 Shepard Road S.E. expanding the facility and an additional playing field. This is now one of the premier rugby parks in North America.