OLD AZURIANS

KEEPING THE OLD AZURIANS' NAME ALIVE AT WORTHING RUGBY CLUB

 

An article compiled by Phil Northeast with contributions from Dick Mowbray and Eric Richardson .

 

Since the very beginning rugby has always had a major role in sport played at the school. Worthing High was for many years the only school in the area to play the sport and almost every boy either enjoyed or, in some cases, endured  games lessons that were enthusiastically taken by the likes of Messrs Rees, Anderson, Jay and Wurr.

 

It was a natural progression upon leaving school, for those who excelled or just enjoyed the game, to join the school old boys team -The Old Azurians Rugby Football Club.-which was founded in 1927.

 

Up until the introduction of comprehensive education there was a natural flow of new players into the club as boys left school and wished to continue with the sport. Sadly,with the changes within the education system the traditional intake was taken away and although the club managed to field three teams from ex pupils up until 1975/76 it became clear that the membership had to be opened to those who were not old boys to enable the club to continue. In the light of this situation it was agreed in 1978 to formally open the club to all comers. This resolution allowed the club to continue for the next ten years with a modicum of success but after that time it proved not to be enough to maintain a good standard of rugby.

 

Thus in 1989, following a mediocre season in which the club sometimes struggled to get 2 sides out on a Saturday, it was decided by the Committee of the time to approach Worthing RFC to explore the idea of a merger. Accordingly the Chairman, Dick Mowbray, and Secretary, Chris Spratt attended a meeting with Bob Rogers and Brian Vincent (himself an OA!) at which the proposal was floated and greeted with enormous enthusiasm by the representatives from WRFC.

 

A proposal was then taken to the AGM of OARFC and after much debate ( as one might imagine), the merger was formally approved and now depended upon a decision of the WRFC AGM later that month. This again was favourable and from September 1989, the 1st XV turned out as the “Worthing Azurians”. The better players were soon assimilated into the 1st XV of the Worthing club and full integration was rapidly achieved.

 

Dick Mowbray and Chris Spratt were voted onto the WRFC Committee and over the years many of the original OAs have served in various capacities in the administration and playing organisations at Roundstone Lane. Prime examples are Brian Vincent, the current Chairman, and  Dick Mowbray, who was club President for three years.

 

A significant number of old boys attend most of Worthing Raiders games at Roundstone Park in Angmering on Saturdays and a number travel to the away games if the travelling is not too demanding.

 

Over the past few seasons Worthing have had a meteoric rise from playing in local leagues to the dizzy heights of Division 1 in 2013/14. This upward movement ended abruptly in April when they were relegated back to Division 11 South (still in the top 50 clubs in the country!!).

 

Every home game for Worthing Raiders is preceded by a lunch at the clubhouse, and at least once a year the OAs book a table. Over the past few years the lunch has attracted up to 30 old boys. This attendance is recognized by Worthing as a continuing interest by the school old boys and helps to maintain a strong presence in the club.

 

Why not come along and enjoy the sport and camaraderie. All those who enjoy rugby will be guaranteed an enjoyable afternoon and a chance to meet up with like-minded old boys. Notification of a lunch date will be posted on this website when it is arranged.