The Green Island Rugby Club is a community-based suburban club under the guidance of the Metropolitan Committee of the Otago Rugby Football Union.
Established in 1884 and known as “The Grizzlies”, the club's colours are green, gold and black. Miller Park in Abbotsford has been our home ground since 1921.
Family is a huge part of our life, and the Club endeavours to cater for all family members in the various events and functions organised.
Our club is built on the fundamental values of:
FAMILY, PRIDE, DISCIPLINE, INTEGRITY & INCLUSIVITY
Our club is run by a fantastic group of volunteers. We have excellent on field coaching and management supported by quality off field management committee composed of community focused people with business acumen focusing on sustainability and development. The club is in great health in both financial and membership aspects.
The club has a loyal band of supporters - diverse in age, from young to mature - most of whom reside in Green Island or the neighbouring suburbs.
We have a thriving membership of over 1,000 members, composed of Senior Playing Members, Junior Playing Members, Honorary Junior Members (Immediate Family of Junior Players), Social Members, Honorary Life Members, Sponsors & Senior & Junior Officials (Committee).
In 2025 we are fielding 7 Senior teams - Division 1 (Premier), Division 2, Division 3, U20 Colts (Premier), Two U21 Colts, Women, and our Junior club is host to over 24 Junior teams (U5 through to U13 ages) plus 3 girls teams, making us the biggest Junior RFC in Otago and one of the largest in the South Island.
No other club experiences crowds like we do for our weekly prize giving’s or our club events.
We are also the only local club with a mascot - “Claws” our Grizzly Bear.
We are fortunate to also be well supported by local sponsors and benefactors that contribute financially to the running of the club.
We are the most followed community rugby club in Dunedin and Otago, with over 4,500 people following our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/girugby/
In recent years we have undertaken extensive facility upgrades to our clubhouse, including a new commercial grade kitchen, new in-ceiling heat pump systems, complete upgrade to both the Male & Female Toilets, new outdoor seating area, upgraded sound & PA System as well as updating and improving the players changing rooms and installation of a new gym.
Our facilities are often used by the wider community, playing host to events such as weddings, birthdays, funerals and various private functions - and also hired by local business for corporate events (licenced for up to 300 persons).
We are now running a Bingo night every Wednesday in conjunction with "Two Fat Ladies"
In short, we are a club in great vitality.
Find out more at https://girugby.co.nz/
