“I move the Constitution as presented be adopted,” said Tim Mahoney.

“I second the motion,” said Ollie Fogarty.

In favour say ‘Aye’ - against ‘No’ – “it is a unanimous affirmative decision,” said the Chairman, Brother Anselm.

Such was the seemingly inconspicuous genesis of the M.B.O.B.R.F.C. in Invercargill, at a Special General Meeting on Tuesday, 23rd March, 1920.

Prior to the 23rd March, several meetings had taken place to test the enthusiasm of prospective members and supporters. At a committee meeting held on 21st March 1920, the choosing of the Club’s colours was an important item on the agenda. In the famous tradition of their forefathers, the Club decided the official colours would be “any colours as long as they were green and black.” As the minutes recorded, “green and black hooped jerseys with white knickers.” Some difficulty was experienced in obtaining the prescribed jerseys, so ultimately, the Secretary was authorised to purchase 18 singlets and 15 packets of dye. The socks were surplus army issue khaki drill socks, also dyed green. Press reports indicate an all green jersey of varying shades was the result. On the first wet day, the dye ran out of the jerseys on to the white shorts!

The 1921 season saw the Club amalgamate with Athletic (Marist O B – Athletic). At the time there were two competitions running, one on Wednesday and the other Saturday, this bought about by the fractured working week in which the half day holiday was split between the two. The SRFU ruling was that both clubs and players could enter in one competition only. Moves were afoot to make Saturday the universal day off, this prompting the amalgamation move.

In earlier years training conditions were far different. In the absence of street lighting, road work was a hazardous affair. The usual thing was for the Coach to go ahead on his bike with a hurricane lamp tied to the back. On the run to Clifton or Tisbury, it was woe betide the laggards who faded beyond the orbit of the lamp as ditches and potholes were bigger, wider and more numerous than we can imagine today! The Club did not have clubrooms but did have use of a gymnasium in Clyde Street. Efforts were renewed to install electric lighting at the gym and after several setbacks the project was completed during the season. In 1924 practises were shifted to Rugby Park, the SRFU deciding to make the Park available to clubs, Marist being balloted Monday and Friday evenings.

During the War years, Clubs struggled to keep alive the duty of ensuring their Clubs remained vitally active for the duration of the War and have them in good running order on the return of “their boys”. During these difficult days, the unsolicited, unswerving and wholehearted support of the Marist Brothers was self evident and most welcome. No record of this period would be complete without remembering the spiritual and physical strengths the Brothers brought to bear for the protection of the men overseas and the survival of their beloved Club at home.

By 1947 the Club was still without social premises of its own. Invercargill was “dry” and so this was a period when member’s garages held court and although cramped and draughty, were never the less convivial. It was around this time that an arrangement was entered into with St Mary’s Tennis Club to use their lower Mary Street premises during the winter. (Approximately where the bridge is over the now altered course of the ‘Puni’)

It was in 1960 that the ICC allocated the Millar Street grounds to Marist for their proposed Clubrooms. Fundraising got underway, work commencing on the building in February 1961. They were completed in September of that year costing approximately £6000. Club records also note the continual improvements over the years to the conditions of the grounds, they going from being unplayable for lengthy periods due to the drainage, through to today where although they can be heavy, they in no way resemble the bog or at times the smell of yesteryear. The grounds were again modified during the protection work that followed the massive flooding of 1986. As a result of this work, the Archery Club to the east of our fields was relocated and ground 2 realigned to run east – west, incorporating some of the Archery Club’s target area.

In 1989 further additions to the Clubrooms were made with the conservatory area to the north adding a more inviting atmosphere in the Clubrooms and proving a sound investment for the future.

Over the years the Club has contributed much to the spirit and playing stocks of Southland Rugby. Whilst the Galbraith Shield has eluded our teams more times that they care to admit, when success has come our way, it has been joyously received and heartily celebrated! 6 members have represented the club as All Blacks, they being Pat Grace, Bill McCaw, Leo Connolly, Jack McRae and Paul Henderson. Hoani McDonald was selected as a Maori All Black while others have been awarded junior honours, they being Jason Templar while this year, Scott Eade and Tuki Raimona were both selected in the New Zealand under 20 team, a wonderful result.

Jubilees were celebrated in 1970 and 1995. These have both been magnificent affairs, well organised and most importantly well supported by past players. The next milestone due is in 2020 where 100 years of Marist rugby will be toasted. This will be one not to be missed.

Acknowledgement: Content sourced from 50th and 75th Jubilee book