60 Years of Green & Gold
From a rough hillside in Belrose — built by families, run by volunteers, and loved by everyone who's ever pulled on the jersey.
How It All Began
In the early 1960s, Frenchs Forest and Belrose were rapidly developing — mostly young families settling the Northern Beaches. In 1966, a group of those families formed Wakehurst Rugby Club to give their boys somewhere to learn the game.
For the first 18 years, the club made do with borrowed fields at Lionel Watts Oval and Bambara Oval, sharing grounds with Belrose Rugby League. A specially modified caravan served as the canteen — and the canteen, as it still is today, was the engine room of the club's finances.
The real turning point came when the club secured a 30-year lease on the site at Forest Way and Waldon Road. The land was just a rough hillside. Members laid drainage pipes, dumped and compacted fill, planted grass, and — with personal bank guarantees, a NSW Government grant, and an enormous amount of voluntary labour — built Wakehurst Rugby Park and the clubhouse from scratch.
The room upstairs is named after Mike Harley, the driving force behind the build and one of the great figures in Wakehurst's history.
Club Timeline
Key moments from six decades of rugby in Belrose.
Wakehurst Rugby Club founded to serve the growing families of the Frenchs Forest / Belrose area.
First season played, sharing grounds at Lionel Watts Oval and Bambara Oval.
Club secures a 30-year lease on the current site at Forest Way & Waldon Rd, Belrose.
Wakehurst Rugby Park established. The clubhouse built with voluntary and at-cost labour by members.
Quality floodlights installed with support from NSW Sporting & Recreation and Warringah Council.
Women's rugby program launched at Wakehurst Rugby Club.
Touch 7s program introduced — hundreds of families join the club community.
Women's 7s team joins the Sydney Women's Rugby 7s competition.
Club celebrates its 60th anniversary. 200+ registered players across all grades.
The Story Continues
As the club approaches its 60th anniversary, Wakehurst Rugby continues to grow — serving hundreds of families across Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Davidson and beyond. The best chapters are still being written.
The Photo Archive
We're digitising 60 years of photos — match days, presentation nights, club legends, and moments that made Wakehurst what it is. Every image will be searchable by player name, year, and team.
Find every photo you're in across 6 decades
Explore any season from 1966 to today
Recognise someone? Help build the archive
Were You a Wakehurst Player?
Past players, coaches and committee members — we'd love to hear from you. Share your memories, photos, and help us tell the full story of 60 years of Wakehurst Rugby.