Rugby league in Sydney

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.

Rugby League in Sydney
A game in Sydney's metro competition
Governing bodyNew South Wales Rugby League
First played1908 (1908)
Clubs162 (divided in 18 divisions)
Club competitions

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
Main article: 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*)
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles H.E. Laybutt Fields Blacktown, New South Wales 1964 (2012)
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Hammondville Oval Canterbury-Bankstown, New South Wales 1937 (2023)
Glebe Dirty Reds Goddard Park Concord, New South Wales 1908 (2015)a
Hills District Bulls Crestwood Oval Hills District, New South Wales 1964 (2016)
Kaiviti Silktails Silktails Churchill Park, Lautoka Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji 2019 (2020)
Mount Pritchard Mounties Aubrey Keech Reserve Mount Pritchard, New South Wales 1927 (2007)
Ryde-Eastwood Hawks T.G. Millner Field Ryde, New South Wales 1962 (2003)b
St Marys Saints St Marys Leagues Stadium St Marys, New South Wales 1908 (2016)c
Wentworthville United Magpies Ringrose Park Wentworthville, New South Wales 1963 (2003)

Sydney Shield
Club Moniker Home Ground Suburb Joined
Glebe Dirty Reds Wentworth Park Concord, New South Wales
2017-
Cabramatta Two Blues New Era Stadium Cabramatta, New South Wales
2023-
Hills District Bulls Crestwood Oval Hills District, New South Wales 2012-
Moorebank Rams Hammondville Oval Moorebank, New South Wales 2017-
Mount Pritchard Mounties Aubrey Keech Reserve Mount Pritchard, New South Wales
2023-
Penrith Brothers Brothers Parker St Reserve Penrith, New South Wales 2018-[lower-alpha 1]
Ryde-Eastwood Hawks Lidcombe Oval Ryde, New South Wales 2019-
St Marys Saints St Marys Leagues Stadium St Marys, New South Wales 2016-[lower-alpha 1]
Wentworthville United Magpies Ringrose Park Wentworthville, New South Wales 2012-

Macarthur Conference
Main article: Macarthur Division Rugby League

First Grade & Reserve Grade
Club Moniker Home Ground Premierships Premiership Years
Camden Rams Kirkham Park, Elderslie 10 1948, 1951, 1978, 1994, 1997-98, 2000, 2002, 2016, 2022
Campbelltown City Kangaroos Fullwood Reserve, Claymore 11 1946, 1949, 1969-71, 1973-75, 1980, 1983, 2017
Campbelltown Collegians JRLFC Collies Campbelltown Stadium 0 None
East Campbelltown Eagles Waminda Oval, Campbelltown 1 2012
Mittagong Lions Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong 10 1937, 1945, 1959, 1962-64, 1967, 1988, 1991, 1995
Oakdale Workers Bears Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval, Oakdale 2 1993, 2011
Narellan Jets Jets Narellan Sports Ground, Narellan 2 1996, 2004
Picton Magpies Victoria Park, Picton 13 1935, 1966, 1981, 1985-87, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2013-15, 2018
The Oaks Tigers Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks 3 1976, 1977, 1992
South West Goannas Narellan Sports Ground, Narellan 0 None
Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters Thirlmere Sports Ground, Thirlmere 6 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020

Third Grade
Club[3] Moniker Home Ground
Campbelltown City Kangaroos Fullwood Reserve, Claymore
Campbelltown City (2) Wallabies Fullwood Reserve, Claymore
East Campbelltown Eagles Waminda Oval, Campbelltown
Mittagong Lions Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong
Picton Magpies Victoria Park, Picton
The Oaks Tigers Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks
Warragamba Wombats Warragamba Sportsground

Open Age
Club[4] Moniker Home Ground
Appin Dogs Appin Park
Eaglevale St Andrews Magpies Benham Reserve
Glenquarie All Stars Bradbury Oval
Liverpool Catholic Club Raiders Liverpool Catholic Club Sporting Complex
Minto Cobras Benham Reserve
Mt Annan Knights Jack Nash Oval
Oran Park-Gregory Hills Chargers Wayne Gardner Reserve, Oran Park
Warragamba Wombats Warragamba Sportsground

NSWRL Conference Competitions
See also: Sydney Combined Competition

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]

Club Moniker Home Ground Suburb District
Avalon Bulldogs Hitchcock Park Avalon Beach, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Belrose Eagles Eagles Lionel Watts Oval Belrose, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Berowra Wallabies Warrina Oval Berowra, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Cromer Kingfishers St Matthews Farm Cromer, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
East Hills Bulldogs East Hills Castle Hill, New South Wales Canterbury-Bankstown
Forrestville Ferrets Forestville Park Forestville, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Harbord United Devils Harbord Park Harbord, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Hills District Bulls Crestwood Oval Baulkham Hills, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League
Moorebank Rams Hammondville Oval Moorebank, New South Wales Canterbury-Bankstown
Narrabeen Sharks Lake Park Narrabeen, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Ryde-Eastwood Hawks Lidcombe Oval Ryde, New South Wales Balmain District Junior Rugby League
Wentworthville United JRLFC Magpies Ringrose Park Wentworthville, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League

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[7]
Club Moniker Home Ground Suburb District
Asquith Magpies Storey Park Asquith, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Bondi United United Bondi Bondi, New South Wales South Sydney District RFL
Concord-Burwood Wolves Wentworth Park Concord, New South Wales Balmain District Junior Rugby League
Cromer (2) Kingfishers St Matthews Farm Cromer, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Leichhardt Tigers Birchgrove Oval Leichhardt, New South Wales Balmain District Junior Rugby League
Leichhardt Wanderers N/A Sydney, New South Wales Balmain District Junior Rugby League
Sydney University Lions University Oval University of Sydney Balmain District Junior Rugby League
TAFE NSW Polecats N/A Sydney, New South Wales Balmain District Junior Rugby League
Willoughby Roos Willoughby Park Willoughby, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney

Central Northern Open Age Bronze[8]
Club Moniker Home Ground Suburb District
Asquith (2) Magpies Storey Park Asquith, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Carlingford Cougars Cougars N/A Carlingford, New South Wales Balmain District Junior Rugby League
Harbord United Devils Harbord Park Harbord, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Leichhardt (2) Wanderers N/A Sydney, New South Wales Balmain District Junior Rugby League
Macquarie University Warriors Macquarie University Ryde, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Pennant Hills-Cherrybrook Stags Greenway Park Pennant Hills, New South Wales Manly-Warringah/North Sydney
Redfern All Blacks All Blacks Pioneers Park Redfern, New South Wales South Sydney District RFL
Sydney University (2) Lions University Oval University of Sydney Balmain District Junior Rugby League
TAFE NSW (2) Polecats N/A Sydney, New South Wales 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[9]
Club Moniker Home Ground Suburb District
All-Saints Toongabbie Tigers C.V. Kelly Park Toongabbie, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League
Bankstown Sports Club Bankstown Sports Club Bankstown, New South Wales Canterbury-Bankstown
Berala Bears N/A Berala, New South Wales Canterbury-Bankstown
Canley Vale Kookaburras Adams Park Canley Vale, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League
Chester Hill Hornets N/A Chester Hill, New South Wales Canterbury-Bankstown
Greenacre Tigers N/A Greenacre, New South Wales Canterbury-Bankstown
Guildford Owls Mccredie Park Guildford, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League
Kellyville Bushrangers Kellyville Park Kellyville, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League
Lalor Park Kookas Cavanagh Reserve Lalor Park, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League
Merrylands Rams Merrylands Oval Merrylands, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League
South West Sharks N/A Sydney, New South Wales Parramatta Junior Rugby League

Parramatta JRL Open Age
Main article: Parramatta Junior Rugby League

Clubs
Club Moniker Suburb
Austral City Bears Austral, New South Wales
Baulkham Hills Brumbies Baulkham Hills, New South Wales
Hurricanes Hurricanes Sydney, New South Wales
OLQP Bulldogs Sydney, New South Wales
South West Sharks Sydney, New South Wales
Winston Hills (1) Hawks Winston Hills, New South Wales
Winston Hills (2) Hawks Winston Hills, New South Wales

Penrith District Rugby League
Main article: Penrith District Rugby League

Division 1
Club Moniker Suburb
Colyton Colts Colyton, New South Wales
Cambridge Park Panthers Cambridge Park, New South Wales
Emu Plains Emus Emu Plains, New South Wales
Glenmore Park Broncos Glenmore Park, New South Wales
Minchinbury Jets Magpies Minchinbury, New South Wales
North West Magpies Richmond, New South Wales
Penrith Brothers Brothers Penrith, New South Wales
St Clair Comets St Clair, New South Wales
St Mary's Saints Saints St Marys, New South Wales
St Patricks Saints The Ponds, New South Wales
Windsor Wolves Windsor, New South Wales

Division 2
Club Moniker Suburb
Doonside Roos Doonside, New South Wales
Hawkesbury Hawks Hawkesbury, New South Wales
Lower Mountains Mounties Penrith, New South Wales
Riverstone Razorbacks Riverstone, New South Wales
Quakers Hill Quakers Quakers Hill, New South Wales
Western City Tigers Penrith, New South Wales

Division 3
Club Moniker Suburb
Colyton Colts Colyton, New South Wales
Cambridge Park Panthers Cambridge Park, New South Wales
Doonside Roos Doonside, New South Wales
Emu Plains Emus Emu Plains, New South Wales
St Clair Comets St Clair, New South Wales
St Patricks Saints The Ponds, New South Wales
Windsor Wolves Windsor, New South Wales

Southern Open Age
Main article: Cronulla-Sutherland District Rugby Football League

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[10]
Club Moniker Home Ground Suburb
Como-Jannali Crocodiles Scylla Bay Oval Como, New South Wales
De La Salle Caringbah Saints Captain Cook Oval Caringbah, New South Wales
Engadine Dragons ANZAC Oval Engadine, New South Wales
Gymea Gorillas Corea Oval Gymea, New South Wales
Kogarah Cougars Todd Park Kogarah, New South Wales
St John Bosco Bulldogs Boystown Oval Sutherland, New South Wales
St Joseph's Kangaroos Kareela Oval Sutherland, New South Wales

Southern Open Age Silver A[11]
Club Moniker Home Ground Suburb
Como-Jannali Crocodiles Scylla Bay Oval Como, New South Wales
De La Salle Caringbah Saints Captain Cook Oval Caringbah, New South Wales
Gymea Gorillas Corea Oval Gymea, New South Wales
Renown United United Renown Park Sydney, New South Wales
St John Bosco Bulldogs Boystown Oval Sutherland, New South Wales
St Joseph's Kangaroos Kareela Oval Sutherland, New South Wales
Taren Point Titans Gwawley Oval Taren Point, New South Wales

Southern Open Age Silver B[11]
Club Moniker Home Ground Suburb
Aquinas Colts Blaxland Oval Sutherland, New South Wales
Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks Cronulla High School Cronulla, New South Wales
Engadine Dragons ANZAC Oval Engadine, New South Wales
Kingsgrove Colts Beverley Hills Park Kingsgrove, New South Wales
Riverwood Legion Club Riverwood Riverwood Park Sutherland, New South Wales

South Sydney District Rugby League
Main article: South Sydney District Junior Rugby Football League

A Grade
Club[12] Moniker Suburb
Coogee Dolphins Coogee, New South Wales
La Perouse United Panthers La Perouse, New South Wales
Mascot Juniors Jets Mascot, New South Wales
Matraville Tigers Matraville, New South Wales
Redfern All Blacks All Blacks Redfern, New South Wales
South Eastern Seagulls Malabar, New South Wales

A Reserve
Club[12] Moniker Suburb
Alexandria Rovers Rovers Alexandria, New South Wales
Coogee Dolphins Coogee, New South Wales
La Perouse United Panthers La Perouse, New South Wales
Mascot Juniors Jets Mascot, New South Wales
Marrickville RSL Kings Marrickville, New South Wales
Matraville Tigers Matraville, New South Wales
Moore Park Broncos Moore Park, New South Wales
Redfern All Blacks All Blacks Redfern, New South Wales
South Eastern Seagulls Malabar, New South Wales

Junior Comepetitions

There are currently ten junior rugby league competitions in Sydney. These are:

See also

Notes
  1. 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
  1. "What is Australia's most popular sport?". The Roar. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  2. Ausplay Participation Report by State (2022) Rugby League
  3. "Competition: 2023 MACARTHUR OPEN 3RD GRADE Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  4. "Competition: 2023 MACARTHUR OPEN AGE MENS Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  5. "Association: NSWRL Conference Competitions". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  6. "Competition: 2023 METRO COMBINED OPEN AGE MENS GOLD Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  7. "Competition: 2023 CENTRAL NORTHERN OPEN AGE SILVER Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  8. "Competition: 2023 CENTRAL NORTHERN OPEN AGE BRONZE Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  9. "Competition: 2023 CENTRAL WEST OPEN MEN SILVER Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  10. "Competition: Southern Sydney Open Men Gold Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  11. "Competition: Southern Sydney Open Men Silver Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  12. "Competition: 2022 A Grade Draw". www.playrugbyleague.com.
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