World
War I and a group of Local Lindfield lads are engaged
in the heat of battle on the fields of France. Such
are the horrific circumstances of this engagement, these
soldiers decide that if they are ever able to return
home, they will create a sporting club, so that their
children and descendants can enjoy the simple pleasures
of life.
Some
did indeed return, and approached the local Ku-ring-gai
council who granted permission to set aside a parcel
of land from a public reserve on Tryon Road in East
Lindfield, which had been dedicated in 1904. With
voluntary labour and the assistance of council, Lindfield
Oval as we know it today was carved from a rocky sandstone
ridge. Befitting the memory of their fallen comrades,
the Gates of Remembrance were constructed at the entry
to the Oval with the names of these comrades inscribed
thereon. The Garden of Remembrance, with English and
Australian Flora surrounding the gates, is a beautiful
setting to ensure a wonderful environment for a sporting
club. The original sandstone can be seen forming a
retaining wall in the southern side of the ground.
The physical setting of the venue is the same today
as it was then.
The
Lindfield Rugby Club first appears in Rugby Records
in 1920. Although little is known about the club during
this time, it is known that the club ground was Lindfield
Oval, the original Club colours that still remain
to this day, were Sky
Blue and White and that a team was entered in a 3rd
Grade Metropolitan Junior Rugby Union competition.
In
1922, the 88 hectare public reserve was renamed Soldiers
Memorial Park.
In
1923, residents of the Local Lindfield District decided
to create a cricket club and cricket has been played
on the oval every summer since, despite the intervention
of The Great Depression and WWII. Since the new Rugby
Club formed in the early 1940's, the two sporting
associations have maintained an excellent rapport.
In
1946, Metropolitan Sub District Rugby Union resumed
its comp, having been absent from the field since
1941 due to WWII and in 1947, Lindfield Rugby Club
re-entered competition, with a membership of 25. Two
teams were entered (1st and 2nd grade juniors). The
same year also saw the first of the inaugural Lindfield
Rugby Club balls. 136 people attended the first Club
dance, held at the Lindfield Masonic Club.
1948
saw the first Sub-District side for Lindfield being
entered in the first year of the Burke Cup competition.
The team, coached by J Baker, won the minor premiership,
but lost in the Semi Final to Strathfield (6-0)
In
1954, work began on raising funds for and building
the clubhouse at Soldiers Memorial Oval. The top wooden
portion of the club was the original East Roseville
YMCA building and was relocated by the council and
placed on top of the newly constructed showers and
dressing rooms. The clubhouse was completed in 1960
and in 1999, as a result of an agreement with the
Rugby Club and the Lindfield District Cricket Club,
the social areas within the clubhouse were extensively
renovated with the assistance of a NSW Government
sports grant.
In
1968, the second playing oval was completed, and the
club fielded a record 27 teams in competition.
The
club had the honour of its first Wallaby selection
in 1969, when Bruce Taafe was selected to tour South
Africa. Other Australian representatives who have
Lindfield origins include Stirling Mortlock, Andrew
Blades and Cameron Blades.
One
of the Club's most successful years was in 1987, following
one of the Clubs worst years, in 1986 when we were
relegated for the first time to 2nd division Sub Districts.
In fine Lindfield spirit, the club bounced back to
have the 1987 Club Championship all tied up with 3
rounds still to play. The Club achieved the distinction
of being the first Sub District Club to turn around
and return to 1st division within just one season.
The
Sub District Competition was reduced from an 18-team
competition to 10 teams in 1993 and many critics saw
Lindfield as a club sure to be relegated. However,
a club record of 359 points in the season saw Lindfield
finish 5th in first division and therefore escape
relegation. In the same year, the Kentwell Cup side
(1st Grade) broke the 50 point barrier for the first
time in the Club's history, beating Penrith 55-12,
setting Soldiers Memorial Oval alight with a 41-5
point display in the second half.
Sadly,
the mid nineties saw a slump at Lindfield, and in
1995, the year Rugby Union became professional, Lindfield
failed to win a grand final despite having a record
number of players. Unfortunately, the following year
in 1996, the Club
celebrated 50 years of continuous Rugby by finishing
bottom of the Club Championship and being relegated
once again to 2nd division.
However,
true to the spirit and commitment always present at
Lindfield, the club rallied in 1997, winning 2 premierships
(2nd and 4th grade) and seeing 1st Grade make a semi-final
appearance, losing to Newport.
Although
Lindfield hasn't yet been able to repeat the performance
of 1987, by being promoted back to 1st division, results
have been on the improve. A new committee was formed
in season 2003 and the result has seen
improvements both on the field and off. Our Colts
team (Under 21) won their third successive minor premiership
in 2003, and with many of those boys now playing in
grade, the future looks bright
The
years have seen many great names and fine men and
women contribute in various ways to the clubs success.
Memories of overseas tours such as the 1977 tour to
Manila and Bangkok and the 1982 two week tour of the
Philippines, when the airline ran out of beer within
2 hours of departure are treasured by all who took
part. After a wait of many years, another overseas
tour is planned for 2004.
Lindfield
Juniors is and has for many years been one of the
strongest Junior Clubs in the Sydney competition.
The Club also boasts a fine 'Golden Oldies' team in
the Funnelwebs,
fielding a team of men who have contributed in many
ways to the achievements of the club over many years,
showing that the Club is one that can be enjoyed by
its members for as long as they wish to play, and
usually well after they should have stopped playing!
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