The Grafton Rugby Football Club was formally established in 1969, however there is a significantly longer Rugby heritage in the City.
The Clarence River Branch of the NSWRU was formed in 1898 with its headquarters in Grafton. By 1907, an upper River competition consisted of four senior Clubs as well as four junior sides.
The Club still existed in 1914, but like all rugby union was suspended during the First World War. Records also indicate the Clarence River Branch was revived during the early 1920s.
Rugby records were few and far between during the Depression. It was not until well after WW11 that Country Rugby Union reappeared, and not until 1969 until Grafton entered the Far North Coast competition.
