Epping Rugby and Netball Club is a sports club, based in Epping, New South Wales. The senior rugby division of the club plays in the 3rd division of New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union, while the junior rugby division plays in the Sydney Junior Rugby Union competition. In addition to this, the Rams Netball club plays in the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association competitions.
History
The Epping Rugby Club started in the 1930s as Epping Juniors, giving juniors in the Epping area a chance to play rugby. Since their inception, there have been a number of future international rugby players played for Epping's juniors. These include:
Epping added a Netball Club to the Epping Rams in 2001, competing in the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association.
Senior Rugby
Epping Juniors senior rugby club
In 1960, former junior players with the Epping Rugby Club formed the Epping Juniors suburban rugby club. Epping Juniors played in various divisions of Suburban Rugby through until 1991, winning only one premiership, the 1986 Walker Cup, before folding. A schism occurred in the late 1980s, which resulted in some members joining another local Suburban Rugby Club, the Cavaliers. Upon folding, some remaining members joined Lane Cove, ensuring a healthy rivalry between the clubs.
The Cavaliers started as Eastwood Methodist in the early 1970s in Sydney's Protestant Churchrugby competition. They joined Suburban Rugby as Roslea in the late 1970s, before changing their name to the Cavaliers in the 1980s. The Cavaliers won one Suburban premiership, winning the Grose Cup in 1992.
Epping Rams Seniors Restart
In 1997, the Cavaliers were invited to join the Epping Rams, as the senior club, and immediately scored success, by winning the Grose Cup. In 2000, the Epping Rams seniors were promoted to 3rd Division, and won the Clark Cup premiership the following year, in 2001. Following a Campbell Cup premiership in 2004, the Epping Rams had a great year in 2005. After securing the 3rd Division Club Championship, Epping's 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade sides all made grand finals, with the 1st grade and 3rd grade teams winning their premierships. Epping were promoted to 2nd Division in 2006, but returned to 3rd Division after the 2008 season. Following a loss in the 2011 Radford Cup grand final, Epping won the 2013 edition, finishing the year as undefeated premiers. Epping secured the 2017 3rd Division Club Championship, with first and third grade teams and colts making finals. First grade would go on to win the Clark Cup for the third time.
Epping players who have gone on to gain international or provincial caps include: Ian Williams, Mick Mathers, Brett Papworth, Matt Mostyn, Steve Tuynman, Matt Burke and Lachlan Turner.
