Bay Roskill

After the second world war a club was formed in Kingsland and as the settlement of the suburbs moved outwards, several small rugby league clubs were formed – Eden Roskill, Wesley, Mt Roskill and further to the west later came Avondale.

The Eden Roskill club ran out of May Road War Memorial Park, Wesley Rugby League ran out from Sandringham and the Mt Roskill club from Fearon Park.

These three small clubs amalgamated around 1947 to become known as Mt Roskill and shared the grounds at Fearon Park, home of the Mt Roskill Rugby Union Club; they were later offered a home at Three Kings Reserve which was accepted. The history of the club in these early years saw its catchment  run from Onehunga, Mt Eden, Wesley and Mt Roskill.

The Mt Roskill club became known as the Red Devils and at one time in its past (1950’s era) fielded 10 teams in the midget grade (U8’s) a reflection on the Nappy Valley that the area had become.

The Avondale club was started about the mid fifties (as a development of former Pt Chevalier people that moved into the area), but did not last too many years and folded approx 1958. But from this, the Blockhouse Bay Club was formed running out of the Glen Avon School.

In 1961 The Blockhouse Bay Reserve was used as a home ground (without clubrooms) and in 1963 land was purchased to build the existing clubrooms. The club in these early years saw its catchment run from Blockhouse Bay, Avondale and Waterview.

The Mt Roskill Red Devils and the Blockhouse Bay Cougars started discussion in 1979 on amalgamation (on direction of the Auckland Rugby League) and in October 1979 the amalgamation papers were signed, and Bay Roskill was formed. Of the five encouraged amalgamations from that year The Southern Districts; Eastern Unity; City Pt Chevalier; The Northern Districts and Bay Roskill, we are the only club to have survived amalgamation.

Later in 1985 the Avondale Wolves were started up and ran until 1996 under affiliation to the Bay Roskill Vikings.

The names of these people are not recorded in any documents available but following are some of the main members still remembered.

Wesley Rugby League: Jimmy Carter, Grahame Lowe.

Mt Roskill Rugby League: Rex Fernandez, Ian and Joan Sadgrove, Allan Monteigh, John and Millie Bradfield, John Doolan, Dick and Gwen Ellis, Mike and Linda Smith, Leonie Bell, Keith Grubb, Pat Fairweather, Laurie Robards, Jim and Shirley Ball, Brian and Shirley Shadbolt, Lloyd Hetherington, Maureen Young, Ann Williams.

Mt Roskill members: Ray Plant, Dave Fitton, C. Lovell, John and Paul Gordon, Tony Sadgrove, Steve Plant.

Blockhouse Bay members: R Way, Graeme Coutts, Mathew Palalagi, Pat Riggs, Frank Riggs, Laurie Robarts, Des Ivey.

MISSION
•To foster, promote and develop all sports within the club structure.
•To encourage educational and life skills to all members which will create a positive and progressive approach to life.
•To promote and develop all junior sport in conjunction with Primary and Secondary schools to implant firmly the ideas of good sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, courage and respect for authority and others.
•Building partnerships to encourage more community groups to participate in our community club activities and facilities.
•To continue to provide a working relationship with the correction department by providing a facility of work and counselling for minor offences.
•Focusing on improving lives of children and families within our community.
•To never turn away anyone seeking Junior membership regardless of culture, race or creed not withstanding financial or other circumstances beyond the clubs control.