Rugby league in Sydney
Rugby League in Sydney | |
---|---|
![]() A game in Sydney's metro competition | |
Governing body | New South Wales Rugby League |
First played | 1908; 116 years ago (1908) |
Clubs | 162 (divided in 18 divisions) |
Club competitions | |
Ron Massey Cup Sydney Shield Macarthur Division Rugby League Parramatta Junior Rugby League Penrith District Rugby League South Sydney District Rugby League Metro Open Age Gold Central Northern Open Age Central West Open Age Southern Open Age |
Rugby league in Sydney is the city's most popular sport,[1] with over 200 clubs in the city across levels of competition ranging from the fully professional National Rugby League to grassroots open age and junior leagues.
History
By the 1890s Rugby football had taken hold in Sydney, thwarting attempts by Victorian rules and soccer to gain the ascendancy. The game continued to grow becoming the most popular code of football in NSW, until the issue of professionalism led to a schism in 1908 and the formation of the New South Wales Rugby Football League. The NSWRU lost many players including the great Dally Messenger to the new sport of rugby league, which became the most popular sport in Sydney by attendance and public interest by World War I.
The NSWRFL premiership was continued on the successful basis of the first competition in 1908. In 1929 Jersey Flegg was appointed to the position of president of the NSWRFL and in 1941 he became chairman of the Australian Rugby League Board of Control. At the time of his death in 1960, aged 82, he was still serving in these roles.
When NSWRFL president Flegg died in 1960, Bill Buckley replaced him and also became boss of the Australian Rugby League, a position he remained in from 1960 until his death in 1973. In 1973 Kevin Humphreys was appointed President of New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) and Chairman of Australian Rugby League (ARL).
In 1983 Humphreys was succeeded in these positions by Ken Arthurson. Under Arthurson the clubs in the NSWRL expanded outside the borders of the state and even the country until in 1994, after administering its 87th consecutive premiership season, the NSWRL was replaced by the Australian Rugby League as club football's peak administrative body.
Notwithstanding the hand over of control of the game at the elite level across Australia to the commission, the NSWRL did retain responsibility for both the administration of the New South Wales rugby league team in State of Origin series, as well as day-to-day management of the state-based New South Wales Cup second-tier premiership, as well as junior representative competitions.
In modern times, the NSWRL has 82,397[2] (450,000 including variants) participants, the vast majority of which are located in Sydney as the state's main population centre.
Ron Massey Cup
The Ron Massey Cup (formerly known as the Bundaberg Red Cup and Jim Beam Cup) is a semi-professional development level rugby league competition in New South Wales currently comprising 9 teams drawn from the Sydney metropolitan area.
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | Founded (Joined*) |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Sea Eagles | H.E. Laybutt Fields | Blacktown, New South Wales | 1964 (2012) |
![]() | Bulldogs | Hammondville Oval | Hammondville, New South Wales | 1937 (2023) |
![]() | Dirty Reds | Goddard Park | Concord, New South Wales | 1908 (2015)a |
![]() | Bulls | Crestwood Oval | Hills District, New South Wales | 1964 (2016) |
![]() | Silktails | Churchill Park, Lautoka | Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji | 2019 (2020) |
![]() | Mounties | Aubrey Keech Reserve | Mount Pritchard, New South Wales | 1927 (2007) |
![]() | Hawks | T.G. Millner Field | Ryde, New South Wales | 1962 (2003)b |
![]() | Saints | St Marys Leagues Stadium | St Marys, New South Wales | 1908 (2016)c |
![]() | Magpies | Ringrose Park | Wentworthville, New South Wales | 1963 (2003) |
Sydney Shield
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | Joined |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Dirty Reds | Wentworth Park | Concord, New South Wales | 2017– |
![]() | Two Blues | New Era Stadium | Cabramatta, New South Wales | 2023– |
![]() | Bulls | Crestwood Oval | Hills District, New South Wales | 2012– |
![]() | Rams | Hammondville Oval | Moorebank, New South Wales | 2017– |
![]() | Mounties | Aubrey Keech Reserve | Mount Pritchard, New South Wales | 2023– |
![]() | Brothers | Parker St Reserve | Penrith, New South Wales | 2018–[a] |
![]() | Hawks | Lidcombe Oval | Ryde, New South Wales | 2019– |
![]() | Saints | St Marys Leagues Stadium | St Marys, New South Wales | 2016–[a] |
![]() | Magpies | Ringrose Park | Wentworthville, New South Wales | 2012– |
Macarthur Conference
First Grade and Reserve Grade
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Premierships | Premiership Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Rams | Kirkham Park, Elderslie | 10 | 1948, 1951, 1978, 1994, 1997–98, 2000, 2002, 2016, 2022 |
![]() | Kangaroos | Fullwood Reserve, Claymore | 11 | 1946, 1949, 1969–71, 1973–75, 1980, 1983, 2017 |
![]() | Collies | Campbelltown Stadium | 0 | None |
![]() | Eagles | Waminda Oval, Campbelltown | 1 | 2012 |
![]() | Lions | Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong | 10 | 1937, 1945, 1959, 1962–64, 1967, 1988, 1991, 1995 |
![]() | Bears | Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval, Oakdale | 2 | 1993, 2011 |
![]() | Jets | Narellan Sports Ground, Narellan | 2 | 1996, 2004 |
![]() | Magpies | Victoria Park, Picton | 13 | 1935, 1966, 1981, 1985–87, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2013–15, 2018 |
![]() | Tigers | Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks | 3 | 1976, 1977, 1992 |
![]() | Goannas | Narellan Sports Ground, Narellan | 0 | None |
![]() | Roosters | Thirlmere Sports Ground, Thirlmere | 6 | 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020 |
Third Grade
Club[3] | Moniker | Home Ground |
---|---|---|
![]() | Kangaroos | Fullwood Reserve, Claymore |
![]() | Wallabies | Fullwood Reserve, Claymore |
![]() | Eagles | Waminda Oval, Campbelltown |
![]() | Lions | Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong |
![]() | Magpies | Victoria Park, Picton |
![]() | Tigers | Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks |
![]() | Wombats | Warragamba Sportsground |
Open Age
Club[4] | Moniker | Home Ground |
---|---|---|
![]() | Dogs | Appin Park |
![]() | Magpies | Benham Reserve |
![]() | All Stars | Bradbury Oval |
![]() | Raiders | Liverpool Catholic Club Sporting Complex |
![]() | Cobras | Benham Reserve |
![]() | Knights | Jack Nash Oval |
![]() | Chargers | Wayne Gardner Reserve, Oran Park |
![]() | Wombats | Warragamba Sportsground |
NSWRL Conference competitions
The NSWRL Conference Competitions are a set of competitions for clubs in the Sydney rugby league districts of Balmain, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cronulla-Sutherland, Manly-Warringah/North Sydney, Parramatta and St. George.[5]
Metro Open Age Gold
The competition is holding one top grade division in 2023, similar to the now defunct Sydney Combined Competition.[6]
Central Northern Open Age
The Central Northern Open Age competitions are for clubs in the Sydney rugby league districts of Balmain and Manly-Warringah/North Sydney. The following clubs are participating in Central Northern District competitions in 2023. This competition's Gold division is merged with Central West for 2023 as Metro Open Age Gold (see above).
Central Northern Open Age Silver
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | District |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Magpies | Storey Park | Asquith, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
![]() | United | Bondi | Bondi, New South Wales | South Sydney District RFL |
![]() | Wolves | Wentworth Park | Concord, New South Wales | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Kingfishers | St Matthews Farm | Cromer, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
![]() | Tigers | Birchgrove Oval | Leichhardt, New South Wales | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Wanderers | N/A | Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Lions | University Oval | University of Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Polecats | N/A | Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Roos | Willoughby Park | Willoughby, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
Central Northern Open Age Bronze
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | District |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Magpies | Storey Park | Asquith, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
![]() | Cougars | N/A | Carlingford, New South Wales | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Devils | Harbord Park | Harbord, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
![]() | Wanderers | N/A | Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Warriors | Macquarie University | Ryde, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
![]() | Stags | Greenway Park | Pennant Hills, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
![]() | All Blacks | Pioneers Park | Redfern, New South Wales | South Sydney District RFL |
![]() | Lions | University Oval | University of Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Polecats | N/A | Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
Central West Open Age
Central West Open Age is the premier rugby league competition clubs in the Parramatta and Canterbury-Bankstown districts of Sydney. The competition features 12 clubs in 2023, in a single division, with its gold clubs playing in the Metro Gold competition.
Central West Open Age Silver
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | District |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Tigers | C.V. Kelly Park | Toongabbie, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Club | Bankstown Sports Club | Bankstown, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
![]() | Bears | N/A | Berala, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
![]() | Kookaburras | Adams Park | Canley Vale, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Hornets | N/A | Chester Hill, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
![]() | Tigers | N/A | Greenacre, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
![]() | Owls | Mccredie Park | Guildford, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Bushrangers | Kellyville Park | Kellyville, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Kookas | Cavanagh Reserve | Lalor Park, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Rams | Merrylands Oval | Merrylands, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
![]() | Sharks | N/A | Sydney | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
Parramatta JRL Open Age
Clubs
Club | Moniker | Suburb |
---|---|---|
![]() | Bears | Austral, New South Wales |
![]() | Brumbies | Baulkham Hills, New South Wales |
![]() | Hurricanes | Sydney |
![]() | Bulldogs | Sydney |
![]() | Sharks | Sydney |
![]() | Hawks | Winston Hills, New South Wales |
![]() | Hawks | Winston Hills, New South Wales |
Penrith District Rugby League
Division 1
Club | Moniker | Suburb |
---|---|---|
![]() | Colts | Colyton, New South Wales |
![]() | Panthers | Cambridge Park, New South Wales |
![]() | Emus | Emu Plains, New South Wales |
![]() | Broncos | Glenmore Park, New South Wales |
![]() | Magpies | Minchinbury, New South Wales |
![]() | Magpies | Richmond, New South Wales |
![]() | Brothers | Penrith, New South Wales |
![]() | Comets | St Clair, New South Wales |
![]() | Saints | St Marys, New South Wales |
![]() | Saints | The Ponds, New South Wales |
![]() | Wolves | Windsor, New South Wales |
Division 2
Club | Moniker | Suburb |
---|---|---|
![]() | Roos | Doonside, New South Wales |
![]() | Hawks | Hawkesbury, New South Wales |
![]() | Mounties | Penrith, New South Wales |
![]() | Razorbacks | Riverstone, New South Wales |
![]() | Quakers | Quakers Hill, New South Wales |
![]() | Tigers | Penrith, New South Wales |
Division 3
Club | Moniker | Suburb |
---|---|---|
![]() | Colts | Colyton, New South Wales |
![]() | Panthers | Cambridge Park, New South Wales |
![]() | Roos | Doonside, New South Wales |
![]() | Emus | Emu Plains, New South Wales |
![]() | Comets | St Clair, New South Wales |
![]() | Saints | The Ponds, New South Wales |
![]() | Wolves | Windsor, New South Wales |
Southern Open Age
Southern Open Age is the premier rugby league competition clubs in the Cronulla-Sutherland and St. George districts of Sydney. The competition features 12 clubs in 2023, across two divisions, Gold (First Grade) and Silver (Second Grade).
Southern Open Age Gold
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Crocodiles | Scylla Bay Oval | Como, New South Wales |
![]() | Saints | Captain Cook Oval | Caringbah, New South Wales |
![]() | Dragons | ANZAC Oval | Engadine, New South Wales |
![]() | Gorillas | Corea Oval | Gymea, New South Wales |
![]() | Cougars | Todd Park | Kogarah, New South Wales |
![]() | Bulldogs | Boystown Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
![]() | Kangaroos | Kareela Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
Southern Open Age Silver A[7]
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Crocodiles | Scylla Bay Oval | Como, New South Wales |
![]() | Saints | Captain Cook Oval | Caringbah, New South Wales |
![]() | Gorillas | Corea Oval | Gymea, New South Wales |
![]() | United | Renown Park | Sydney, New South Wales |
![]() | Bulldogs | Boystown Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
![]() | Kangaroos | Kareela Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
![]() | Titans | Gwawley Oval | Taren Point, New South Wales |
Southern Open Age Silver B[7]
Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Colts | Blaxland Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
![]() | Sharks | Cronulla High School | Cronulla, New South Wales |
![]() | Dragons | ANZAC Oval | Engadine, New South Wales |
![]() | Colts | Beverley Hills Park | Kingsgrove, New South Wales |
![]() | Riverwood | Riverwood Park | Sutherland, New South Wales |
South Sydney District Rugby League
A Grade
Club[8] | Moniker | Suburb |
---|---|---|
![]() | Dolphins | Coogee, New South Wales |
![]() | Panthers | La Perouse, New South Wales |
![]() | Jets | Mascot, New South Wales |
![]() | Tigers | Matraville, New South Wales |
![]() | All Blacks | Redfern, New South Wales |
![]() | Seagulls | Malabar, New South Wales |
A Reserve
Club[8] | Moniker | Suburb |
---|---|---|
![]() | Rovers | Alexandria, New South Wales |
![]() | Dolphins | Coogee, New South Wales |
![]() | Panthers | La Perouse, New South Wales |
![]() | Jets | Mascot, New South Wales |
![]() | Kings | Marrickville, New South Wales |
![]() | Tigers | Matraville, New South Wales |
![]() | Broncos | Moore Park, New South Wales |
![]() | All Blacks | Redfern, New South Wales |
![]() | Seagulls | Malabar, New South Wales |
Junior Comepetitions
There are currently ten junior rugby league competitions in Sydney. These are:
- Balmain District Junior Rugby League
- Canterbury-Bankstown JRL
- Cronulla-Sutherland District JRL
- Manly-Warringah/North Sydney District JRL
- Parramatta Junior Rugby League
- Penrith District Junior Rugby League
- South Sydney District Junior Rugby Football League
- St. George JRL
- Sydney Roosters Juniors
- Wests Tigers Macarthur DJRL
See also
- Penrith District Rugby League
- South Sydney District Junior Rugby Football League
- Sydney Combined Competition
- Brisbane Second Division Rugby League
Notes
- ^ a b Played in one Sydney Shield match in 2020, prior to the suspension of the competition due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Australia. Did not enter a team when the competition recommenced in July 2020.
References
- ^ "What is Australia's most popular sport?". The Roar. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ Ausplay Participation Report by State (2022) Rugby League
- ^ "Competition: 2023 MACARTHUR OPEN 3RD GRADE Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
- ^ "Competition: 2023 MACARTHUR OPEN AGE MENS Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
- ^ "Association: NSWRL Conference Competitions". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
- ^ "Competition: 2023 METRO COMBINED OPEN AGE MENS GOLD Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
- ^ a b "Competition: Southern Sydney Open Men Silver Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ a b "Competition: 2022 A Grade Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com.
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- New South Wales Rugby League (Women's)
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