1914 Auckland Rugby League season

The 1914 season was the sixth season of Auckland Rugby League since its formation in 1909. It followed the 1913 Auckland Rugby League season where North Shore Albions were crowned senior champions for the first time. The senior grade saw the addition of Otahuhu Rovers, who had previously competed in the lower grades only, and Grafton Athletic. The Manukau Rovers and Eden Ramblers no longer contributed teams. The first grade was won once again by North Shore Albions.

Preceded by 6th Auckland Rugby League season
1914 		Succeeded by

At a meeting of Auckland Rugby League on 9 May it was decided that the proceeds of ticket sales at club games would be split 50–50 between the teams and Auckland Rugby League.[1] Interest in the competition continued to grow with 5,000 attending the 3 senior matches played at Victoria Park on 20 June.[2] There were 3,000 in attendance at the North Shore Albions game versus City Rovers in the Round 8 clash at the Devonport Domain.[3] While 4,000 attended the Round 9 match between City Rovers and Ponsonby United at Victoria Park.[4] There were 7,000 spectators for the final between North Shore Albions and Ponsonby United.[5]

Whilst attendances were spectacular at times there were still signs that the competition was in its infancy with teams often playing one or more men short. The worst case being in the Round 9 match where Newton Rangers could only field eight players, with two spectators from the crowd later joining them as they were defeated by 43 points to 2 by North Shore Albions.[4]

Near the conclusion of the season a match was played at Victoria Park between a team of veterans and Auckland colts on 29 August. It raised £27 and 10 shillings for the Patriotic Fund. Also a "Patriotic Carnival" was held on 5 September. A fancy dress carnival paraded around town with Highland pipers and a brass band. It proceeded to the Auckland Domain where a 3rd grade match was being played between Remuera and Ponsonby United 3rd Grade teams, and a ‘Burlesque’ football game was then played. Finally a match was played between the North Island Jockeys and Newton 3rd grade team which the jockey's won 11–6. £49 was raised for the Patriotic Fund.[6]

  1. ^ "FOOTBALL. NEW ZEALAND HERALD". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Vol. LI, no. 15605, 11 MAY 1914. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  2. ^ "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Vol. LI, no. 15641, 22 JUNE 1914. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  3. ^ "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Vol. LI, no. 15653, 6 JULY 1914. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Vol. LI, no. 15659, 13 JULY 1914. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  5. ^ "NEW ZEALAND HERALD". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Vol. LI, no. 15665, 20 JULY 1914. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Fancy Dress Carnival". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LI, no. 15707. 7 September 1914. p. 8. Retrieved 12 August 2019.