Formation of Instonians RFC

The Club was formed in 1919 as a section within Belfast Old Instonians Association (B.O.I.A.) B.O.I.A was itself formed in 1911, its membership being made up from ex-pupils of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (R.B.A.I.), one of the leading schools in Great Britain and Ireland since 1810. The school colours are Black and Yellow. These were adopted by the Old Boys Club but with the addition of "mourning" purple in recognition of the 32 ex-pupils of the school who had died in the Great War.

1st XV Achievements

Having won the Ulster Junior League in their first year 1919-20, they were admitted to Ulster Senior League for 1920-21. Subsequent honours include:

Ulster Senior Cup 20 Outright Wins
Ulster Senior Championship 6 Outright Wins, 4 Joint Wins
Bateman Cup (Irish Championship) Winners 1926 - 27
All Ireland Floodlit Trophy Winners 1993 - 94
Division II A.I.L. Winners 1993 - 94

Members Personal Achievements

Full Irish Caps 31 Players
Total No. of Caps 126
Irish A & B Caps 5 Players
IRFU Presidents 3
Ulster Branch Presidents 8
British Lions 7 (2 Captains - Sammy Walker & Robin Thompson)
IRB Presidents 1

It is interesting to note that including the above, the record of ex RBAI pupils is 72 Full Irish Caps & 10 British Lions
Three ex-R.B.A.I. boys played in the Lions team that won the third test in South Africa in 1938. (Could you name them?)

More Recent Milestones in the Clubs History

1989-1990 - Qualified for AIL Div.1

1990-1991 - Opened Membership to non-ex RBAI pupils. Finished 3rd in Div.1

1992-1993 - Relegated to AIL Div.2

1993-1994 - Won AIL Div.2. Promoted to AIL Div.1

1994-1995 - Relegated to AIL Div.2

1996-1997 - Relegated to AIL Div.3

1999-2000 - Finished 2nd in Div.3. Tied playoff. Portadown retained Div.2 status as the team in the higher division.

2002-2003 - Finished 2nd in Div.3. (Only one team promoted due to League reorganisation)

2004-2005 - Finished 3rd in Div.3. Won AIL semi final play-off against Clonakilty. Beaten in AIL 3 Final by Greystones at Lansdowne Road

2005-2006 - Finished 5th in Div.3

The Club played at the School grounds (Bladon & Osborne) until Shane Park opened in 1965 and moved to Shaw's Bridge in 1999.

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