Back in 1969 it was the first ever to introduce youth rugby at a club level. In those days youth rugby was only played in schools and the Huddersfield initiative gave youngsters from non-rugby playing schools the opportunity to take up the game. The idea proved a great success and other clubs soon followed suit giving rise to the world wide phenomenon we now know as 'Age Grade' rugby.

Huddersfield is a multi-sports club with football, running, squash, bowls and snooker sections. The club runs three men's rugby teams with the senior team playing at Level 4 in the English rugby pyramid. It also has a Colts team, a thriving Age Grade, and a women's rugby section.

The club was formed in 1909 and has been based at its Lockwood Park HQ since 1997. Their ground is set in the picturesque valley of the River Holme and is bisected by the impressive 37 metre high, 34 arch Lockwood Viaduct which carries the Huddersfield/Sheffield railway line over the river. Prior to 1969 they played at Waterloo on the other side of town but the club re-located when the opportunity arose and, with the aid of a National Lottery grant, made a highly successful move to the former Bass Brewery site.

First team success has been built to a large extent on home grown talent with many of the side coming through the ranks of the junior section. Several former senior players can also be found amongst the ranks of the Age Grade coaching team. The most notable player to have made the transition from youth to senior rugby is former England centre Luther Burrell who won 15 caps for his country between 2014 and 2016.

The club hosts two highly successful mini-rugby festivals in Spring and a fundraising beer festival in the Summer. It prides itself on being family friendly and welcoming. Earlier this year Colts teams from Belgrano Athletic club in Argentina were entertained and returned to South America much impressed by the warm hospitality they received in Yorkshire.
Jon Grafton, who plays in Huddersfield's second team, is head coach for the Under 9's. His young team is packed with talent. All the children are looking forward enormously to playing in the London Irish club's junior event.