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Club History
The
history of St. Mary's Old Boys begins it 1897 when a group
of boys from St. Mary's On the Quay Catholic School began
playing rugby against many of the emerging local rugby clubs
in the Bristol area. The Club was officially inaugurated in
1900 and celebrated it's centenary in the 2000-2001 seasons.
With this initial source of players, St. Mary's became known
for some time as 'Bristol Irish'. This was obviously helped
by the playing colors of Emerald Green and Black Hoops.
Today the club is open! (St. Mary's school no longer exists)
and proud of its tradition. The club motto is 'Impavidus'
which translates best as 'Fearless'. From our mini's through
our juniors to the Senior sides, St. Mary's players fear no
one and will always play with the belief and desire it takes
to beat the best.
The club ground, Northwood Park, was one of the few flat fields
in the Northern green belt fringe of Bristol. Veterans remember
running
past the current ground when it was a sheep field en-route
to the
Brickworks run, from the club's first wholly owned ground
at Graceland’s (now all the remains of Graceland’s
is St Mary's Way, Bradley Stoke). With five full size pitches,
two netball courts, fully equipped weights room and purpose
built clubhouse,
Trench Lane, as the Bristol Evening Post insists on calling
our ground has some of the best facilities in the Bristol
area.
After the War, the enthusiasm of the club to play overcame
many
post war obstacles including a lack of material for rugby
jerseys.
The player's wives famously knitted woolen shirts and one
of the most successful sides in club history can be seen clubhouse
on the clubhouse wall, kitted out in woollies.
Welcome
At
St Mary's we would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone
involved in the great game of rugby.
We
are one of the most successfull rugby clubs in the Bristol
and Bath area: Combinatrion Cup winners 4 times in the last
5 years, Ladies won the South West league last year, plus
thriving Mini, junior and Colts sections
All
new players and spectators will be welcomed at the club, all
abilitities welcome.
We
run 3 Senior Mens sides, a very successfull Ladies section,
plus full Minis, Juniors, and Colts from the age of 7 through
to the seniors.
Great coaching setup at all levels including Scottish international
legend and current Bristol prop forward Dave Hilton, plus
former Bristol player Pete Polledri.
Come
and join a great rugby club.
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