ORIGINS Western Suburbs Rugby Union Club was first formed in the early nineteen-thirties and there is a photograph of John Poor, one of the founding members in 1950 (now deceased), in the pennant and premier side of 1932. It is believed that during the economically depressed period of the thirties when many men were unemployed this side was raised by an Englishman to give the local unemployed some direction in life. This encouraging start was interrupted during the war years and it wasn`t until 1950 when with Joe Lord (now deceased) as the first secretary, and with the assistance of John Poor, that Western Suburbs (known as `Wests`) reappeared in W.A. rugby. CHANGE OF NAME In 2000 the club changed its name to Wests Subiaco, the original western suburbs had changed drastically over the years, and this was more in keeping with the home ground location. GROUNDS From the early 1950`s Wests have played on Rosalie Park, starting off with only one pitch, then more recently gaining a second pitch, thus having the availability to play all games at the same ground on the same day. Rosalie Park is also arguably one of the finest grounds in the competition. STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL During the early years with rugby being a minority sport the struggle for survival was severe but the belief and resolution of members carried the club through until the sixties. The 1960`s brought other problems, not least of all being an almost disastrous player slump, but the club was improving and was still competitive. BOOM YEARS Still, Wests during the years were competitive, being losing grand finalists in 1951, 1957, 1958, 1962, 1968 and 1970. It was not until 1971 that the illusive prize of being a winning grand finalist was realised, the opposing team being Nedlands (but who knows the final score?). From 1974 to 1977 four consecutive premiership successes were recorded. In 1974 versus Nedlands (13 pts to 7 pts); 1975 versus Associates (23 pts to 6 pts); 1976 versus Palmyra (28 pts to nil); 1977 versus University (9 pts to nil). Club championship flags were attained in 1968 and 1969, 1971, and from 1973 to 1976. It was also during these years that two members of the club were selected to play for Australia, Don Hardwick (Australian colts tour of Ceylon) in 1953, and Bob Thompson (a Wallaby tour to New Zealand and France) in 1972. Over the years approximately eighty players have worn the Black and Gold of the W.A. State Senior sides, and many others in their age group levels. During these years Wests had started to invest in schoolboys and colts, with dedicated and enthusiastic members involved in the discovery of talent and coaching. At the same time there had been an upsurge in immigrants; this saw an influx of new members and new ideas that were then harnessed. Many of these schoolboys, colts and immigrants are still club members and are an integral part of the club`s culture. In more recent years apart, from 1982 when Wests first grade were minor premiers and losing grand finalists, the club has had a middle-of-the-road existence albeit that some of the other grades have met with grand final appearances and successes. The new millenium has seen an improvement in Wests playing commitment, with a gradual improvement over the last four years. 2002 saw five of the Wests' teams in the finals with the 1st grade taking out the Minor premiership. 2003 was more successful with 1st grade going one step further and winning both the major and minor flags, and all other teams reaching finals. 2004 and the first grade (now renamed premiership grade) yet again captured both flags with reserve grade shouting them on with their own major premiership flag. CLUBROOMS During the period to 1972 (from recollections) clubrooms were either peoples' houses, pubs on the way home from an away game, and after home games, "the Shents" beer garden was popular until being offered an upstairs room in that establishment that had showers and a billiard table. Later, a room was hired at the Friendly Society Building in Townshend Road, where beer and pies were sold and the opposition invited back. Prior to 1972 there had been talk of owning clubrooms and in that year Wests moved into the old R.S.L. Hall in Onslow Road (now demolished) and became, as far as is known, the first club in the metropolitan competition to own its clubrooms. In 1978, for various reasons, the club moved to Subiaco Bowling Club premises and, together with the bowling club, formed the Subiaco Sporting Club, both retaining their own identity and names. The final solution for most members though, was clubrooms on the grounds of Rosalie Park. Negotiations with Subiaco Council were started and Wests together with Subiaco Soccer Club and Shenton Park Cricket Club formed the Rosalie Sporting Association. Finally, in 1992, with the help of Subiaco Council, a new clubhouse and changing rooms incorporated into the overhaul of the old changing rooms were officially opened, giving Wests a home with excellent facilities on Rosalie Park. SENIOR TEAMS Wests have five grades in the competition, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th , 5th and a ladies team, plus a colts side at under nineteen, and as stated earlier, every effort is made by the Western Australian Rugby Union to have all teams or as many as possible playing on the same grounds. INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES 1971-72 - Bob Thompson, Australia v South Africa, Wallaby tours of France and N.Z 2002 - Joji Soqoiwasa, Fiji Tour to Ireland, Wales and Scotland. WESTS JUNIORS (Boys and Girls) Since Wests` Junior Club was formed it has been a force within the junior competition. It serves the community of Subiaco and the immediate areas with the coaching of young boys from the age of six to seventeen, and young girls from the age of six to twelve. It has provided many state players at this level. INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS - Australian under sixteen representatives Alex Radonjik in 1987. Brad Fraser in 1992. In the days when many of the senior clubs didn`t have their own juniors it was not unknown for members of these clubs to send their sons to Wests for their initial coaching and, when reaching colts age, would then be retrieved. Over the years the dedication of the coaches (and most of the time these coaches were also President, Secretary, Registrar and Committee) to these youngsters is something that should be admired. The junior club fields teams in all age groups. Many juniors have continued into the senior club and proved themselves in this stronger competition. THE WOMEN`S TEAM The year of 1997 saw the formation of a Western Suburbs Women`s team to join the Western Australian Women`s competition and, while still in its early years, the signs are there that it will only get stronger, already providing the State team with players. These young ladies have made a welcome addition to the club, their positive attitude has already been noticed and can only make the Wests stronger. Pictures left are Claire Bathgate and Natasha (Buzzy) Thomas, the joint winners of the 2004 Womens Best and Fairest Award. THE LADIES Throughout all the a years the contribution of the wives, girlfriends and friends of the club that formed women`s committees, organised events, served up players' suppers, helped with canteen duties and generally supported the teams, has been tremendous and deserves a big thank you. SPONSORS Many sponsors have supported Wests over the years and without them, as with other clubs, the going would have been almost impossible. We salute and thank you for not only your money but also on many occasions your time and energy. Please support this year's sponsors.