Randwick Rugby Netball was started in 1964 when some fathers were having their weekly drinks in the bar of the Randwick Rugby Union club in Coogee.  The three fathers had 8 daughters between them and no boys.  Constantly putting their hand in their pockets for money for the boys football, they decided it was time for girls to have a go.  The concept of sponsoring basketball teams was put to the Club board and the rest is history.  Then, the sport was known as basketball so we were to become Randwick Rugby Girls’ Basketball club.

The foundation committee comprised of President, Iris Jago (whose great granddaughter, Kirra Smith, is continuing her netball as a player, coach, and umpire); Treasurer, Scriv Scandrett(whose daughter, Carol Bunton, granddaughter and granddaughters are still administering, coaching, and playing), Captain, Betty Windon, (wife of Keith Windon - Wallaby player), Jean Cannot (whose daughters, granddaughters were players and coaches.  Jean's daughter, Joy Habler was a President of the club for a number of years).

The club started with three teams and were coached by three Rugby players, namely the famous Kenny Catchpole, Jimmy Briggs and Mick Winter.  Success was instantaneous.  We won the "A" grade competition (which then was an inter-district competition).

Initially, NSW competition was held at Moore Park and then with the growth of the sport came a name change to Netball and District Associations replaced the existing regime. Randwick Rugby became a foundation club in the newly formed Randwick Netball Association and for the next 50 years continued the expansion of teams including juniors and modified beginners. Commencing with 3 teams in 1964 we now have 78 teams registering over 670 players and non playing members in 2023.

The growth of the club has been continual over the 50 years.  There has been a name change in the sport, movement from grass courts to hard surfaces and indoor arenas, uniform progression from the traditional three box pleat dresses with sash, to polo top and shirt, and now into the lycra synthetic materials for easy movement.  The game itself has changed into a faster, physical sport with a higher profile and infusion of sponsorship and money. We had a $ sponsorship from the Rugby Club which subsidised registration of teams, and paid for equipment. Individual registration has replaced team registration.  The greatest invention has been the web.  Early days, it was always a “ring around” with information but with 650 plus members technology has been a necessity and saviour.  The most recent dramatic change has been the move to a semi professional sport where club members now have pathways to higher education, access to professional health services, elite training and the status of a professional and elite athlete.

The Randwick Rugby Club was an institution in Coogee and as such the sporting subsidiary of the girl’s netball has been a well known integral asset for women and girls in the community who wish to play the game whether just for fitness, social reasons or competition. Officials of the club over the years; Marie Kelly, Carol Bunton, Virginia Bower, and Joy Habler were promoters of the sport and club through the Primary Schools Sports Association.  It was a natural succession for girls to play from school to club netball in the area. Carole Sykes, who coached for many years went onto coach the team, “Sydney Electricity”, which was the beginning of the change to greater sponsorship.  Carole also became an Australian selector.

The club has had many representative players, in state age, state, state League and Inter-district competitions.  Many of these have achieved even higher status with selections in State and Australian teams.  Australian and international representative honours include:

• Marcia Ella O.A.M -1988 Order of Australia Medal for services to netball, inducted to Netball Australia Hall of Fame Nov 2015, previously on Board of Directors, Netball Australia
• Cheryl McCormack – Australian Diamonds player, Director Netball NSW 2013-2015, Director Netball Australia 2015-2020, inducted to Netball NSW Hall of Fame 2022
• Robin Morris
• Nicole Cusack - represented Australian Diamonds as a player from 1989 for 52 tests. Winning the World Cup and Commonwealth Games Gold. Later on high level coaching eg Specialist Coach Commonwealth Games 2010/1. Nicole was inducted to Netball NSW Hall of Fame 2007
• Chelsea Pitman - represented both the Australia Diamonds and the England Roses
• Gabi Simpson - represented the Australian Diamonds from 2015, Vice Captain at 2018 Commonwealth Games. Gabi won the Liz Ellis Diamond Player of the Year in 2017, Netball Australia's highest award.
• Peti Talanoa - represented and vice-captained the Tongan Tala team as well as playing for NSW State teams and Premier League team GWS Fury
• Amy Parmenter - representing Australian Diamonds as a current member.

In the prestigious Suncorp Superleague (previously called ANZ Championship) past Randwick Rugby members have been involved in all aspects of the game including:

• Gabi Simpson, Queensland Firebirds (Captain and leadership group) from 2013 to 2023.
• Amy Parmenter, NSW Swifts and NSW Giants. Playing for Melbourne Mavericks from 2024
• Chelsea Pitman, West Australian Fever and Adelaide Thunderbirds
• Tracey Robinson, Assistant Coach NSW Swifts, Assistant Coach Queensland Firebirds, Assistant Coach West Coast Fever
• Nicole Cusack, Assistant Coach NSW Swifts and Specialist Coach Queensland Firebirds

Randwick Rugby have also had talented players who have excelled in other sports while playing netball and using cross training strategies.  These include Danielle and Ashleigh Bower (water polo), Leigh Habler ; ’92 Barcelona Olympian – swimming, Nicole Mee – swimming, Gabi Simpson and Jessica Thornton – athletics. And many more through Australian Surf Life Saving, Rugby League, AFL,Touch Football, Oztag and Physical Culture.

Marie Kelly and Carol Bunton were recognised by the Australian Government when they were awarded with the Australian sports medal for services to Netball.  Carol Bunton was a member of the initial three teams and the “A” grade team in 1964 and Marie joined in 1965.  Marie was instrumental in the introduction of the juniors competition. Both have also been acknowledged by NSW for over 40 years community service to Netball. Marie was awarded the NNSW Anne Clark Service Award in 2021. Marie and Carol have also been awarded Life Membership by Randwick Netball Association for continued service to Netball in the community. Marie is the current Junior Vice President of the Randwick Association and Carol is the Junior Registrar.