One of rugby’s greatest secrets is that the game doesn’t actually end when your knees give out, your sprint slows to a shuffle, or your hangovers last longer than your recovery time. In the Northern Territory, the Golden Oldies proved that rugby isn’t just for the young it’s for anyone with a pair of boots, a sense of humour, and enough energy to jog to the bar after the final whistle.
For over four decades, Golden Oldies rugby in the NT has been about more than the scoreboard. It’s about mateship, memories, and proving that “the older we get, the better we were.”
The Darwin Stubbies – Beer with a Side of Rugby
The most famous of the Territory’s Golden Oldies sides was the Darwin Stubbies, born in 1982 over a few pints at the Marrara Hotel. Their name said it all, rugby was important, but the social side was sacred.
The Stubbies embodied the Territory’s irreverent rugby spirit. Their matches were full of laughter, playful banter, and plenty of good-natured sledging. It wasn’t unusual for a Stubby to turn up in mismatched socks, or to swap positions mid-game just for the fun of it. And if the referee’s whistle got lost in the heat, nobody minded the Stubbies were more concerned with making it to post-match celebrations.
One legendary game against the RAAF is still spoken about today. The Stubbies not only held their own on the field, but after the final whistle, they managed to drink the bar dry and finished the night with a profit of six cents on the tab. In Golden Oldies rugby, that counted as a win.
The Stray Cats and others
The Darwin Stubbies weren’t the only Oldies team keeping the game alive. There have been a variety of teams, some staying and some coming and going that have flown the Golden Oldies flag. They include the Stray Cats, Palmerston Old Salties, Litchfield Docile Dogs, Bayside Vintage Reds, South Darwin Faded Greens in Darwin, the Bauxite Derelicts in Gove, the Old Crocs in Katherine, the Dingoes in Alice Springs and the Kakadu Fossils in Jabiru.
The Stray Cats were exactly what their name suggested: a collection of former Cougars, mates, and ring-ins who never quite hung up their boots. They might not have trained much, or at all but they always turned up on game day, often with more stories than fitness. They have been the most successful of the Golden Oldies teams continuing being active through until today.
The other teams formed ‘as and when required’ to participate in whatever event was currently being organised and carrying the proud spirt of their club or region into the Oldies battles. They proved that old rivalries never die they just get funnier as the years go by.
Together, these teams ensured that rugby wasn’t just something you watched once your playing days were over. They made it clear: once you were in the NT rugby family, you never left.
Touring the World
Golden Oldies rugby isn’t just a local pastime it’s a global movement. The Darwin Stubbies joined the party, taking the NT’s unique rugby brand overseas. From Sydney to Toulouse, they carried the Territory’s humour, songs, and stubby coolers to Golden Oldies festivals around the world.
Touring with the Stubbies was less about winning and more about surviving. Stories of lost luggage, missed flights, and “alternative warm-ups” (usually involving pub crawls) are legendary. But wherever they went, they made friends and reminded the world that rugby is supposed to be fun.
Rugby, But with Rules (Sort Of)
Golden Oldies rugby follows special guidelines designed to keep everyone upright. There’s no pushing in scrums, no tackling above the armpits, and plenty of leniency for players who need a breather. Jerseys are sometimes swapped mid-game, and the referee’s job is as much about keeping the laughs flowing as it is about enforcing laws.
But make no mistake, the Oldies still love their rugby. The tackles may be softer, the passes loopier, but the pride in pulling on a jersey never fades. And in the NT, the Golden Oldies teams carried that spirit with extra Territory flavour: barefoot warm-ups, games postponed by monsoonal rain, and singalongs that lasted longer than the matches themselves.
A Legacy of Laughter and Loyalty
The Golden Oldies gave NT Rugby something priceless: continuity. They bridged the gap between generations, showing juniors and seniors alike that rugby isn’t just a game you play in your twenties, it’s a lifetime sport. They kept past players engaged, gave veterans a reason to stay connected, and made sure that rugby’s social traditions stayed alive.
Even today, the Golden Oldies spirit thrives. Whether it’s veterans running out for social matches or lending their voices to post-match songs, their presence reminds us all that rugby in the Territory is about people first, competition second.
Fifty Years Young
As NT Rugby celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Golden Oldies teams deserve a special toast. They may not be chasing premiership points or lifting trophies, but they’ve kept the soul of the game alive. They remind us that rugby is about friendship, laughter, and the joy of belonging.
So, here’s to the Darwin Stubbies, the Stray Cats, Palmerston Old Salties, Litchfield Docile Dogs, Bayside Vintage Reds, South Darwin Faded Greens, Bauxite Derelicts, Old Crocs, Dingoes and the Kakadu Fossils, and all the Oldies who’ve kept playing long after common sense said stop. They proved that in the Territory, rugby doesn’t retire, it just slows down long enough to raise a glass.
Sources:
- Cramp, N (2001). Rah-Rah in the Never-Never – – “Golden Oldies Rugby” section (pp. 95-98).
- NT Rugby oral histories.
