From:World Rugby Museum
Name/TitlePin Badge, Yorkshire v New Zealand, 1905
About this objectGeorge Rowland Hill (RFU Secretary 1881-1904, RFU President 1904-1907) took every opportunity to thank New Zealand for standing by the English Rugby Football Union in its fight against professionalism.
In 1895 22 clubs broke away from the RFU to form the Northern Union, which allowed players to be paid for their time. This ‘professionalism’ was strongly objected to by the RFU, who were determined to keep rugby as an amateur sport.
The New Zealand players were "shepherded" away from the Committee of the Northern Union who came to see them play against Yorkshire in Leeds in 1905. This pin badge was probably given to the members of the Yorkshire Rugby Union Committee to celebrate the game.
Date Made1905
Medium and MaterialsMetal
Inscription and MarksYorkshire, New Zealand, 1905 in gold. White rose of Yorkshire and Silver Fern of New Zealand
Credit LineUnknown
Object TypePin Badge
Object number2001/176
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
