The RUC Athletic Club was formed in June 1928, by Captain T. D. Morrison, M.C.D.I, to foster approved sporting activities for members of the force. It is affiliated to and operates in close liaison with the Police Sport UK of Great Britain. Members compete in the various Police Sport UK Championships staged at various centres annually throughout GB & N. Ireland. The funds of the Association are used to provide or assist in the provision of facilities & services for, or in connection with, any form of recreation or amateur sport for persons participating in or enjoying or viewing the same and encouraging social intercourse and wellbeing generally.

The first major RUC Sports took place at Balmoral in July 1930 and over the next sixty years the sports attracted athletes such as American sprinter, Harrison Dillard, flying Dutch woman, Fanny Blankers-Koen and Jamaican Herb McKinney (all post-war Olympic Champions).

Paralleling the development of the sports was the development of a highly talented Athletics Team, which in 1950, held or shared nine Northern Ireland records. At the same time great Athletes emerged led by Shot-putter Davy Davidson, 440 runner Billy Dundas and future Olympic Champion Mary Peters.