THE BIRTH OF A LEGEND
In 1923, the Nairobi District team split to form Kenya Harlequins and Nondescripts RFC. The club did not quite take off at the time, but the spark never died.
Fast forward to 1951, a group of rugby enthusiasts decided it was time to revive the idea. Peter Barron, the club's first Hon. Secretary, and Ben Cook, his successor, led the charge, supported by D.M. "Sonny" Goldstein and John Parry. After several meetings at the Civil Service Club, the Kenya Harlequin Football Club was born.
The first AGM was held at the Civil Service Club on 3rd March 1952. The club's first colours were brown and white, and the kit was flown in from the UK with the assistance of Craigs Sports House.
SONNY GOLDSTEIN & THE RFUEA GROUNDS
Sonny Goldstein led Kenya Harlequin as President for the first four seasons, 1952–1955. In 1954, he was elected President of the Rugby Football Union of East Africa.
The RFUEA acquired a 10-acre piece of land on Ngong Road and started construction of a rugby pavilion in 1953, budgeted at £4,650. Goldstein secured a 10-year loan of £3,000 from the Rugby Football Union in England — the first ever loan by the RFU outside the United Kingdom.
On 28 September 1955, the pavilion was opened by J.A.E Siggins, the British Lions team manager, followed by the inaugural game: East Africa versus the British Lions. The new bar at RFUEA is named in Goldstein's honour.
AFFILIATED WITH HARLEQUINS FC
Upon forming the club in 1952, our founders immediately sought permission to use the Harlequins name and the iconic quartered colours of the London club. A letter was sent to Harlequin F.C. in England requesting affiliation.
Harlequins agreed, and a singular honour was bestowed upon the club, which to this day is highly cherished by our members. Due to a mix-up in correspondence, the London club initially sent over only a single Harlequin crest — it was duly stitched onto the captain's shirt in time for the first game of the season!
A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON
Today Kenya Harlequins Football Club is one of the most successful, admired, and respected sports clubs in Africa. Quins have been champions of Kenya 8 times and our most recent major trophy was the 2024 National Sevens Circuit championship.
Kenya Harlequin Football Club is a founder member of the Kenya Rugby Union and hosts the KRU at the RFUEA Grounds. Five past Chairmen of KRU are Quins. Our members have played, captained, coached, and sponsored Kenya's national teams for generations.
We care deeply about rugby in general and African and Kenyan rugby in particular. Nunquam Dormio — We never sleep.
