The history of the Ross River Redskins RFC takes us back to when the club was called the City Redskins RFC.

The City RFC (Redskins) were formed some 40 years ago after proposal was placed forward to reintroduce Rugby to Townsville.

The City RFC then merged some 16 seasons ago with the Ross River Rats (formerly Souths Kiwi's) to join the club in its present day form The Ross River Redskins RFC.

As some of you may know, the old grounds at Wounded Knee) behind the now demolished Causeway Hotel) in Townsville were condemned and the club was forced to move to Castle Hill PCYC and eventually finding a home at the Kirwan High School in 1995-2014.

City RFC was one of the founding clubs of the TDRU when Rugby started in Townsville in 1967. The club first trained at the Grammar School Oval until the club purchased a house at number 1 Mark Street Hermit Park and took lease of the adjoining field in 1973. City RFC won its first premiership in 1974 after being perennial runner - ups a number of times.

Reg Fuller was the founding father of the Ross River Rats which was located in the Upper Ross at Jabiru Park. The club had many success and many successful players came from its roots. Most notably players such as Alan Philpot, Rohan Fuller and Grant Bloxham all went on to representative honours. The club won its only premiership in 1991 with a strong showing in the Under 19's.

In 1991 delegates of the two clubs committee's had a meeting at the TDRU in one of the change rooms and after discussions had taken place, the decision was made to merge the two clubs and to ensure the game of Rugby continued for the players who were left. It was a matter that City had the commercial side and Ross River had the players.

The club in its formative years proved to be a strong and unforgiving opposition making the semi-finals as a regular occurrence. The club was led by Rohan Fuller and with the help of some players and set about developing the club culture which is evident to this day.

It was during this period the club as a united entity, the club won its first Senior Premiership in 1998. The team was solidified after a loss to the Brothers in the first round and eventually beat Brothers in the final wining 22 -14

In 2015 the club moved to The Bindal Sports Grounds, in the Murray Sporting Complex. Huge efforts from Life members Gary Lewis and Col Harkness helped to secure a new home ground in partnership with Southern Cross Catholic College. As part of the lease the Ross River Redskins now have a clubhouse to call their own.
 

Life members

Our clubs current life members are listed below:

• Allan Philpot (Pottsy)
• Bernard Green (Big Bernie)
• Chris Phillips
• Col Harkness (Hark)
• Don Purdon
• Gary Lewis (Darb)
• John Sullivan (Slam)
• John Watt (Watty)
• Michael Anderson (Tim Tam)
• Rohan Fuller
• Tony Tanzer (Tiddles)
• Victor Johnson
• Warren Ufer (Woza)
• Kevin (Pugs) McFarlane