On the Wing - A Brief History of Rugby in the RNZAF

Introduction

In 2011 New Zealand hosted the Rugby World Cup. This online exhibition traces the story of New Zealand’s national game in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Team sports have always been considered vital for morale, training and fitness in the armed forces and the Air Force is no exception. The RNZAF has attracted some remarkable players, some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. 

Beginnings

A few New Zealanders participated individually in rugby matches with the British Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force in World War One. In a letter home in 1917, Dunedin-born Cadet Stuart Richardson , described his first taste of the game at No.6 School of Military Aeronautics, Denham:

‘I had my first game of Rugby football this afternoon. I played to take the place of one of the team who

Richardson himself was shot down and killed just six weeks before the Armistice in 1918.

Following the end of World War One and with the return of experienced New Zealand airmen from the War, it was decided to form a small air contingent, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force in 1923. Pilots did brief refresher courses annually and there was a small core of full-time officers and ground crew. The NZPAF had its base at the newly purchased aerodrome at Sockburn (later renamed Wigram) where the Air Force Museum of New Zealand stands today.

It is probable that very few official Air Force matches were played during this period due to the part-time nature of many of the servicemen. However, the creation of an air station at Hobsonville in the late 1920s, (albeit with a very small amount of personnel) resulted in some rugby being played. An Air Force team participated in the Kohn Cup in 1935, playing against the Army, Navy and Police. The following year the Air Force won the cup, before losing it in 1937 to the Police.

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