Rugby League celebrates its 120th anniversary today, with the sport officially breaking away from Rugby Union on this date, August 29 back in 1895.
The breakaway took place at the George Hotel in Huddersfield, saw clubs Batley, Bradford, Brighouse Rangers, Broughton Rangers, Halifax, Huddersfield, Hull F.C., Hunslet, Leeds, Leigh, Liversedge, Manningham, Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Runcorn, Stockport, St Helens, Tyldesley, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington, Widnes and Wigan vote yes to breakaway from the then Rugby Football Union and form the Northern Rugby Football Union.
The desire from these clubs to breakaway was tied heavily to the North v South divide that existed in England at the time, and in particular within the representation of clubs within the RFU.
An extended history of the split is available on Wikipedia here, however this breakaway Northern Rugby Football Union evolved to become the Rugby Football League and establish the sport which we know today.
Hong Kong Rugby League recognises the codes humbled beginnings as it continues to expand its reach 120 years on.
