Whilst there is documentary evidence that Cardiff Schools played rugby in the 1880's, the first meeting of the present Union of Schools, as recorded in the Minute Book, was on Friday 5th December, 1902, in the Queen's Hotel.

The Cardiff R.F.C. gave full support, issuing complimentary tickets and allowing Cardiff Boys to play on the Arms Park every Saturday morning. The first inter-town match was versus Pontypridd, away, on March 21st, 1903, and the first home match versus Swansea a week later. The Cardiff Club made a grant of £50 and also presented medals. Grants of 30s (£1.50) were made to schools in order to purchase jerseys, shorts and boots. In 1905 the Western Mail South Wales News presented a shield valued at £50. This shield was refurbished in 1987 following bomb damage sustained during the Second World War. The Dewar Shield is currently valued for insurance purposes at £12,000.

The years since 1945 have seen still greater changes. The Cardiff Boys' team play upwards of 20 inter-district matches per season. Tours were made to Ireland, North Wales, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Scotland. In 1957 the Cardiff and District Schools R.U., for the first time in the history of the W.S.R.U., entertained two teams from Frankfurt, and in September 1958 two Cardiff boys' teams visited Frankfurt and Heidelberg.

By the end of 1975, with the change in structure of Schoolboy Rugby in Wales imminent, it was decided by both the Under 15 and Under 11 Groups that they should become a separate bodies. The 1980's saw more new ground covered when the under 15's made two successful tours to Ireland being hosted by the famous Garryowen club.

The 1997-98 season saw the Cardiff Schools Under 15 team play two County teams, Cheshire and Lancashire, whilst on tour in the north of England. This tour has now become an item during the February half term with Yorkshire replacing Cheshire and Coventry being added to the itinerary.

The town team (under 15) has at all times reflected the high standards of rugby played in the schools, and in the national inter-district competition for the Dewar Shield it has made a record number of appearances in the final, 32 in all, being successful on 21 occasions. Since 1904, two hundred and twenty Cardiff boys have represented Wales at full international or 'A' schoolboy level. Season 1971-72 will stand out as a memorable one. The town team was invincible, winning 26 out of its 27 matches and drawing the other. It won the Dewar Shield for the 13th time and the Welsh Schools' seven-a-side tournament for the 3rd time.

During the 1989-90 season Roger Goode (Cantonian) and John Griffiths (Willows) were appointed senior and assistant coaches, respectively, to the Welsh Schools' Under 16 international XV; thus bestowing on Cardiff Schools the unique honour of having both national coaches. Suddenly, and tragically, John Griffiths died in May 1995, thus depriving Cardiff and Welsh Schools of a great talent. Owing to his major contribution to Cardiff Schools' Rugby, Roger was elected Chairman for the Centenary Season.

In January 2003 Peter Cronin (Fitzalan), who had made an immense contribution to the development of schoolboy rugby within the city, sadly died. He was a former chairman in seasons 1969-70 and 1973-74, and was elected President in 1989, a position he held until ill health forced him to stand down in 2000.

The 2002-03 season witnessed the Centenary of Cardiff Schools Rugby Union. To mark this splendid occasion several events were organised; a Dinner in the City Hall on the 6th December at which over 400 guests, former players and teachers attended; two matches against Welsh Schools' President XV's in May; and finally a two-week Centenary tour to South Africa in July which saw nine matches played by the Cardiff Schools 'A' and 'B' teams. Many seasons have passed since the inaugural meeting of the Cardiff Schools' Rugby Union took place in December 1902. Those 20 gentlemen inspired the boys to play the game the "Cardiff Way".

Carl French, August 2004

(The full version of this article may be found in the CSRU Handbook)