There were a large number of German settlers in Rio Grande, and it was from the German community that the impetus for forming a club came. The main instigator was a young Hamburger called Johanes Minnemann, Among those who shared the enthusiasm was Arthur Lawson, an Anglo-Brazilian who was born in Rio Grande and who had recently returned from his studies in England.
English sailors, of course, have to feature somewhere: the club's first 'outside' opposition was provided by the crew of HMS Nymph. For the most part, though, the club members had to content themselves with games between Time A and Time B.
No mention of Lawson in these early line ups , which have a very strong German presence.