Grassroots of Recordkeeping: an Investigation into Archival Practices within Rugby Clubs in New Zealand

Abstract

The sport of rugby has been officially played in New Zealand since as early as 1870. In the early years of rugby, the rugby club was one place where the community gathered to participate and communicate. It was a hub of the local community and a place which revealed some of the social history of that community. It is where some memories of the community could be captured and this history now needs to be maintained. The purpose of this research is to establish what rugby clubs have done to preserve the archives of the club for the future. It is to investigate if these clubs are even aware of what archives they have and what practices they are carrying out to preserve them. It is these records which contain some of the history of the community and they need to be preserved for future generations so that they can get an insight into the past. The research has been carried out with the participation of seven rugby clubs in the Wellington region with a visit to each club. A club official was interviewed and at the same time there was an opportunity to view the club premises. This research established that from those clubs only one had a good understanding of its holdings and had put an archiving plan into action. Another is about to get the assistance of an archivist. The findings of this research have highlighted the need for education and guidance in the correct archival practices to be carried out. All clubs taking part thought the idea of a manual or guidelines would be of great assistance. If this idea is to be carried through it should be led and encouraged by the clubs' main association, the New Zealand Rugby Union [NZRU]. The idea will need to be promoted to the NZRU to get assistance with development and funding.

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