Hornsby Rugby Club may not have achieved as many victories as it had hoped on the field this season but the Club still has cause for celebration after the official opening on Saturday night of its new clubhouse at Mark Taylor Oval, Waitara.

Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens SC MP, Member for Hornsby and Club Patron, the Honourable Matt Kean MP and Hornsby Councillor Nathan Tilbury (on behalf of the Mayor, the Honourable Councillor Philip Ruddock) joined an excited crowd of Club members at the event. 

Mr Henskens said that the impressive new clubhouse had been built with the assistance of a State grant of $22,000 under the Local Sports Grant Program.

“Hornsby Rugby Club was established in 1962 and has since then been one of the iconic clubs in the area, particularly in the period when it competed in the Sydney First Division Competition in the 1970s and 1980s and subsequently during its era of significant success in the Second Division,” Mr Henskens said.

“Throughout its history, the Club has received strong community support and worked hard to fulfil its charter to provide local people with the opportunity to enjoy the game of Rugby Union.

“Social interaction off the field is almost as important to the rugby union ethos as what happens on the field. This new clubhouse will be a great support for our local rugby followers.”

Hornsby’s new facilities will be shared by the Senior Club, the Junior Club and the Golden Oldies. Mr Henskens paid particular tribute to the President of the Juniors, Andrew Marren, for ensuring that the idea became a reality.

“Andrew liaised with me in 2016 in relation to the Club’s application for a grant and has energetically driven the project since that time,” said Mr Henskens.

“The clubhouse marks the start of a new era for Hornsby Rugby Club. I have no doubt that it will both assist in attracting new players and enhance the game-day experience of its members and supporters. Up the Lions!”

Hornsby Rugby Union Club has two Premier League teams and one Women’s 7s team in the Central Coast Rugby Union Competition and currently runs Junior teams from under 6 to under 17 age groups, including all girls’ teams.