Eden Rugby Club

Eden club teams had trained and used the Newton Rugby Club’s Virginia Avenue property. But once set up the Parrish Avenue property became very popular. Both University and Grammar Old Boys rugby trained there and North Auckland, during their visits to Auckland, also joined in. There was a problem at Parrish Road that grew with the local population. The training shed was built of corrugated iron and when struck by balls kicked in training the noise was deafening. The more neighbors complained the more determined the club became in their desire to shift lock, stock and barrel to Gribblehirst Park. The Parrish Road property was sold in 1958 and the clubrooms demolished to be carried piece by piece across the road by members themselves. The huge roof beams, such a significant part of Parrish Road, were toted over and are a notable feature of the new clubrooms at Gribblehirst Park, which were officially opened on August 16, 1958. All Blacks, Bruce McLeod, Frank McMullen, Ron Urlich, Ron Dobson and Hud Rickett have played in Eden’s colours, although not at the time they were selected.