Premier rugby union, Brothers Rugby Club, is celebrating a milestone this year as it commemorates its move to Crosby Park in Albion 70 years ago.
In 1949, the Brothers Rugby Club entered into an agreement with the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU), then the leaseholder, to become the first club in Brisbane with its own grounds. Prior to this arrangement, the club was training at the public premises of New Farm Park. Two years into the agreement with QRU, the Brothers took over the lease.
Tom McCormack pledged a grant to begin the construction of the “Green Shed” which served as a dressing room for the players. This site also had a bar that club members would enjoy for many years.
Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council Library Services
The Brothers Rugby Club’s homebase holds a heap of memories for thousands of its members. Apart from the number of premierships won, the playing field has also become a community hub.
“The facilities are in use almost 24 hours a day, people come down here and bring their kids or dogs. It’s a community centre, which is just predominantly used for rugby,” current club president David Hine said.
“Recent developments in the area over the past 10 years have made our facilities and green space extremely important for the community. I’m proud that we’ve been able to provide this type of service to the community.”
For the last five years, Brothers Rugby Club has come up with a plan upgrade the Crosby Park facilities to sustain future activities and growth. There is a masterplan in place and once lodged and approved with the Council, the redevelopment is projected to take 24 months.
“Brothers’ fields and facilities are long overdue for an upgrade. With more and more people using Crosby Park for sport and community activities each year, it is important the fields and facilities meet the current and future demand,” the club stated in its masterplan.
“The upgrade is still in the planning phase. We are in the process of developing documentation to submit to Brisbane City Council for approval.”
