Starting from humble beginnings with just one team, the Port Pirates has grown up alongside the town.
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It is now a place where many people enjoy the game, with 11 sides including teams for juniors, golden oldies, women and seniors.
The club has been the springboard for many young players' careers and they have gone on to play all around the world including in the UK, Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Japan.
It was also the starting point for two other local clubs - the Hastings Valley Vikings and Wauchope Thunder.
President Leon Anderson says the Pirates have been the premier club for Port Macquarie, they were the first to have a clubhouse and have always been one of the guiding forces in the zone.
The club has a great tradition with rugby and has forged connections all over the ruby world. For up-and-coming players wanting to travel, the club has helped them on their way.
It all began back in 1974 when the club was founded by a group of enthusiasts.
No Rugby Union had been played in the Hastings since before the First World War.
In its first year, Port played clubs from Sydney, New England, Far North Coast and Central Coast who happily travelled to the emerging beach resort called Port Macquarie.
The first year of competition had only three teams; Port, Kempsey and Taree.
Gloucester joined the following year and although the road to the semi-finals was assured, Port was beaten in the first two years by Taree and Kempsey in close contests.
Thereafter, Port succeeded in a long line of Premierships and when reserve grade was added in the 1980’s, Port also dominated this level.
The arrival in the Hastings of a former Wallaby, Reg Smith as the coach, saw the level of forward play rise to extreme levels; Port went for two whole seasons without defeat.
Smith was aided by the arrival in town of a former Randwick A grader Des Taylor, and these two provided the nucleus of an unbeatable forward pack.
A surplus of players saw the birth of Port’s second club – the Viking’s, who in 2000 played their first season with all three grades. In the early years of the seventies, Port was ably assisted by the Mayor Ald C.C. Mac’ Adams, in securing the ground, clubhouse and flood lighting at Stuart Park.
Many hours of hard labour were put in by the players in constructing the Clubhouse and the present ground used for competition.
2007 saw another in a long line of first-grade premiership for Port Rugby club.
Notable past players include late Mayor Wayne Richards who was a pioneer with the club. Rob Oakeshott and Peter Besseling also played for the club.
The club's future looks bright
Port Pirates is a club that does not stand still and they look forward to helping grow rugby especially developing kids, juniors and women's rugby.
Stuart Park has been approved for an upgrade through grants, Hastings Council and local member Leslie Williams. The Pirates are very excited to have been part of this process.
This season also sees the women's team trying for three premierships in a row.
The 45th Anniversary will be marked with a week's worth of activities culminating in a home game against Hastings Valley Vikings on Saturday, May 25.
There will also be a Pirates formal ball that evening hosted at Westport Club.
It will be a great celebration of Port Pirates old and new, with music, dancing, giveaways, memorabilia and a formal sit down meal.