Ballina Seahorses

Ballina Seahorses Rugby Union Club is a rugby union club based in Ballina, New South Wales formed in late 1975, entering the local competition in 1976.[1][2] They conduct teams for both junior and senior competitions, with the senior teams competing in the Far North Coast Rugby Union.[3] The first-grade side also plays annually against the Wollongbar club for the "Dane Cupitt Shield" — named in honour of Dane Cupitt, a player for both clubs, who died in 2002.[4][5]

Ballina Seahorses
Club information
Full nameBallina Rugby Union Club
Short nameSeahorses
Colours  Sky blue
  Black
Founded1975 (First game 1976)
WebsiteOfficial website
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Quays Reserve
CompetitionFar North Coast Rugby Union
Records
Premierships5 (1992, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2007)

History

Ballina entered the FNC Reserve Grade competition in 1976, with immediate success winning the Premiership.[6] The club fielded their inaugural first-grade side in 1977.[7] Another Reserve grade title followed in 1978, but it would be almost another decade before the club experienced finals success.[8]

The formation of an Under 19 team in 1987 was a particularly important moment in the club's history. The coach was Len Diett, a former Wallaby and teacher at Ballina High School, and the side were undefeated in the FNC competition. Many of the same players also played in the BHS First XV, also coached by Len, reaching the quarter-finals of the Waratah Shield.[9] The success of the Under-19s (four consecutive titles) provided the club with a player base and laid the foundation for the successes of the next decade.

The original emblem of the club was a flying Pelican, but in 1983 it was replaced by the Sea Horse.[10]

Premierships and Club Championships

The Seahorses have won the following premierships:[11]

  • 1st Grade: 1992, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2007[12]
  • Reserve Grade: 1976, 1978, 1995, 2007, 2008,[13] 2009[14]
  • Third Grade: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2006, 2007
  • Under 19s: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1999

The Seahorses have also won the Club Championship in: 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2007.

Notable Players and Associates
  • Declan Curran – Wallaby, 5 Tests, 1980–83 (involved in the formation of the club)[15]
  • Len Diett – Wallaby, 2 Tests, 1959 (Coached the U/19 team in the 1980s)[16]

Further reading
  • Drysdale, John (2011). RUGBY NORTH: A History of Far North Coast Rugby Union. Northern Rivers Press. ISBN 9780957962248.

References
  1. Drysdale p.131.
  2. "Homepage". Ballina Rugby Club. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  3. "BALLINA SEAHORSES ADVANCE IN FNCRU COMPETITION". NBN News. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  4. "Remembering Dane". The Northern Star. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  5. Craig, Mitchell (20 June 2016). "Ballina retains rugby shield". Warwick Daily News. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  6. Drysdale p.131.
  7. Drysdale p.131.
  8. Drysdale p.131.
  9. Drysdale p.132.
  10. Drysdale p.131.
  11. Drysdale pp.131-134.
  12. Spinks, Steve (10 September 2007). "Seahorses power to the FNC rugby union premiership". The Northern Star. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  13. Spinks, Steve (11 September 2007). "Ballina Wants a Fourth". Archived from the original on 29 May 2019.
  14. Spinks, Steve (11 September 2007). "Ballina Wants a Fourth". Archived from the original on 29 May 2019.
  15. Drysdale p.131.
  16. Drysdale p.132.
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