Southern Districts Rugby Club, often referred to as ‘Souths’ or ‘Southern Pirates’ has a proud and strong history within the Victoria Rugby Union community. Our club was formed in 1972 and has since provided teams in the Junior, Senior and Masters rugby competitions.
Our club was born after local rugby enthusiasts met, responding to a message in the Public Notices of the local newspaper. The club’s first name was “Skye Frankston” and was allocated a playing field off Frankston-Dandenong Road in Lyndhurst. Over the years we have changed our name and relocated our club a number of times, finally settling into our current grounds at Riviera Reserve, Eel Race Road, Seaford.
Today we proudly call ourselves “Southern Districts Rugby Club” which is a reflection of the Peninsula and surrounding areas in which our players and members reside. Although our designs have changed over the years we proudly wear our original colours of blue and gold. This heritage dates back to the first set of club jerseys, an old set of Parramatta jerseys which were the only ones available at the time.
Our grounds boast some of the best club rugby facilities in Victoria. We have two well maintained playing fields and two training fields which support all our junior and senior teams, dedicated and knowledgeable coaching and support staff, our club house which provides canteen and bar facilities, thus to ensure our members and visitors feel welcome and entertained.
We currently field teams from under 6-10 age group (Pathways Rugby), 11-18 age group (Junior Rugby), Senior teams as well as a Masters (+35) team. Our teams have been regular participants in the Victorian Rugby Union finals fixtures, with our Under 16’s team winning the 2018 U16's Blue Premiership and our Masters team came away winning the Masters competition in 2018. Our club has also been represented in Victorian State Team with a number of our players receiving representation honours in the Victorian State U16's Team and one also representing Southern Districts in the 2019 School Boys tour. In the 2019 season we will have an U18's team (after a long hiatus), we will continue to work with this team to provide a pathway to our Senior program in a few years time. All interested players are encouraged to contact the club.
Our Senior program is currently undergoing a rebuilding phase and will compete in the newly formed Premiership Competition. In coming years, we anticipate a re-entry into the Premier Division which is the highest division of rugby in Victoria. Our Head Coach is Colin Dowie. Colin has been a member of Southern Districts Rugby Club for 10 years, as both a parent and a coach. He has four boys who have all played Juniors for the club, three of which have progressed to the Senior level. Colin has also coached at various age groups, with one of his coaching achievements guiding the 2013 Colts team to play finals at the then recently opened AAMI Park. If you are interested in a coaching or support role we encourage you to contact with the club.
It is with great pride that Southern Districts Rugby Club boasts one of the few Melbourne Rebels home grown talents. Sione Tuipulotu spent a number of his junior years at the club prior to his graduation to senior rugby. In recent years he has been a member of the Australian Under 20’s squad, the Melbourne Rising and the Melbourne Rebels squads. Sione and his family are still active members of the club and are regularly in attendance at junior and senior fixtures.
Our newly formed Committee is headed a by Nadine Dowie. Nadine is in her second term as President and along for the ride are a newly formed Committee. Carmen Ambrose has spent the last two years helping out with the U6's, this year she has taken on the role of Secretary. We would like to welcome back Belinda Nurney, Belinda has reprised her role as Junior Coordinator as she introduces her next generation back into the club. Belinda's grandson Archer Nurney will play his first season in the U6's, his father Michael Nurney started at the club as a junior. Bryce Foothead, who played Seniors and Masters over the years has taken on the role of Club Captain. We also have Fohe Tuipulotu, Murray Whitelaw and Phillipa Toia are part of our General Committee. We still have some positions that need filling, if you would like to be apart of our 2019 Committee we encourage you to contact the club.
New players and social members are always welcome. For new membership enquiries please contact:
Junior Players sdrcjnrcoord@gmail.com
Senior Players sdrcpresident@gmail.com
Follow the link for our 2018 Committee Members