The Auckland University Rugby Football Club (Varsity) was founded 131 years ago in 1888, with our colours determined in 1906 - Heraldic blue and silver. The Club affiliated with the ARU in 1907 and initially played in a Junior Old Boys competition along with College Rifles, Marist and Grammar before we all became Premier Clubs in 1910.

The Club existed for many years without training facilities - a church hall in Parnell, Kings College, Teachers Training College, Eden Rugby Club, Victoria Park were used at various times. During the 50s and 60s the headquarters was the sawdust training shed in Wynyard Street on the University campus. Some teams only had the shed in which to train, other teams scrounged fields at Three Kings, the Domain and St Kentigern's School. None had any of the comforts of true rugby facilities until we were granted use of the grounds at Shore Road where the Club erected the lights under the guidance of long-time coach and opposition of the Grammar club, Trevor Fry.

The mid-1960s and 1970s called for more sophistication and we looked for flasher drinking holes. There was the RSA in Newmarket, the Royal Navalmens Rooms also in Newmarket, the Big I, the Student Cafe and eventually back to the sawdust shed. For some reason we quickly outstayed our welcome at all of those venues.

And then a visionary in the form of Sir Colin Maiden came calling. He persuaded the University to establish what was appropriately called Colin Maiden Park where our splendid clubrooms stand today. The clubrooms were designed by Neil Cotton, a member of the 1971 Gallaher Shield winning team.

Auckland University Rugby Club has a proud and rich history of producing great rugby players and people alike. With multiple international and provincial players (including 20 All Blacks), coaches and administrators, AURFC has a reputation for excellence both on and off the field.

AURFC has won the Premier Auckland club competition 19 times, and has competed in the final of the competition 5 out of the last 7 years. Although we set high standards between ourselves and respect our history, we play for the enjoyment of the game and the comradery it brings off the field.