History
The Bulls Rugby Football club was founded in July, 1876. This makes it the oldest club in the Manawatu-Whanganui region.
The game was introduced to the area by Major J Willis. He came to New Zealand in 1860 as part of the 14th Buckingham Regiment. After leaving the service, Major Willis ended up moving to the Rangitikei to begin farming.
The Bulls Rugby Club monogram is not a traditional rugby club monogram, usually depicting goal posts and rugby balls. It is actually the coat-of-arms of the Willis family. This was originally gifted to the Willis family in 1619 by King James I.
The first game was officially held on the 27th of July in 1876, with players coming from surrounding areas for a club practice and a game. Despite the poor weather on the day, nine players turned up. With four men playing against five, the final score was three points to one.
The club went on to flourish after this, becoming the central hub of rugby in the Rangitikei. Playing in many local competitions. With many fierce rivalries built up over the years.
