SYDNEY CLUBS JERSEYS

SYDNEY DISTRICT RUGBY CLUBS JERSEY COLOURS (1900-14)

written by Sean Fagan

The idea of sacrificing one huge crowd and so enable each district [of Sydney] to see first-grade football at its own door each Saturday is an excellent one. The rivalry of the districts is increased, the grounds are sure of a permanent fund for improvement purposes, and the cost of seeing the game, by reducing the transport expenses, is kept at the lowest possible limit.
— The Australasian

Card from c.1910 made by Valentine. Sydney University vs Sydney. — Card from c.1910 made by Valentine. Sydney University vs Sydney clubs.

In 1900 the NSWRU (via the Metropolitan RU) did away with all the existing clubs in Sydney, apart from the University, replacing them with a “district scheme” that divided the city and suburbs following electoral boundaries.

Players were only permitted to play with the club which covered the area within which they were resident.

The new division gave us the district clubs for 1900: Balmain, Norths, Wests, Easts, Souths, Newtown and Glebe.

Following boundary changes new first grade districts were subsequently created to provide entry for Sydney (1905-10), Manly and St. George (both 1906-14), and Randwick (1914).

The Sydney club premiership competition is today known as the Shute Shield.

Manly District Rugby Football Club card 1906