Illawarra_Rugby_League

Illawarra Rugby League

Illawarra Rugby League

Rugby league competition in Australia

The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong).[1] The area provides a nursery of juniors for the Illawarra Steelers and St George Illawarra Dragons. The season is contested by seven teams and concludes with a finals series involving the top four teams.

Quick Facts Sport, Instituted ...

History

Only the Northern parts of the Illawarra have traditionally been included in this competition, with teams further south playing in Group 7. However, Shellharbour's decision in 2009 to field a team in the NSW Cup was coupled with a decision to play in the Illawarra Rugby League as well, blurring the boundary between the two competitions. Other Group 7 clubs are fielding teams in the lower leagues of Illawarra competitions and there's a possibility the two competitions may merge.

The Illawarra Division is one of the strongest, along with Newcastle, local competition in New South Wales. The league features many former and current players from the NRL Senior Competition and also players from the NRL Youth Competition. The Illawarra Division Senior representative team are two-time National Country champions and have won the Country Rugby League championships consistently. The Division also supplies players to the NSWRL Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup competitions.

On 21 July 2011, whilst celebrating their centenary, Illawarra Rugby League announced their "Team of the Century".[2][3] Immortals Graeme Langlands and Bob Fulton featured at fullback and five-eighth respectively, as well as Harry Wells at centre. The entire team follows:

Teams

The following table lists the clubs and the teams fielded in the 2024 senior competitions: Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup - NSWRL President's Cup Southern Conference (PC), Division 1 (Div1), Division 2 (Div2), Under 18s (U18), Women's tackle (Wom), Ladies League Tag (LLT). The table also indicates whether the club has junior teams.

Clubs are listed by their highest grade of competition.

More information Club, First Season ...

Map

More information Local Area, in New South Wales ...

Former clubs

First Grade

Clubs with at least one season in 1st Grade

  • Albion Park (1926–31 lower grades, 1934–37 1st Grade)
  • Army (1942–43 1st & 2nd grade)
  • Bombo (1925–27)
  • Bulli (1926 1st grade, 1927–31 lower grades)
  • Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks (2022 1st grade)
  • Diggers (1919 2nd grade, 1920–21 1st grade)
  • Gerringong (1925–27)
  • Glebe (1921–23 lower grades, 1924–28 1st grade)
  • Jamberoo (1928–30)
  • Kiama (1926 3rd grade, 1927–28 1st grade)
  • Mount Keira (1912–13, 1920, 1924-28, 1932-39, 1945-48 (as Unanderra-Kiera) 1st grade; 1914 & 1919 2nd grades, 1922–23 lower grades, 1929–31 lower grades, 1940–44 lower grades) – Formally merged with Unanderra to form Western Suburbs in 1949
  • Main Roads Board (1927)
  • . North Wollongong (1931 1st grade, 1923–24 3rd grade)
  • Scarborough (1938–40 1st grade, 1920–21 & 1941–46 lower grades)
  • Services (1942–43 1st grade; a separate team from Army)
  • Shellharbour Sharks (2009–13 1st grade; 1928, 1930 & 1944 lower grades)
  • Unanderra (1912–14, 1919–21, 1923, 1926–30, 1945–48 (as Unanderra-Keira); 1922, 1924–25, 1932–33, 1944 lower grades) – Formally merged with Mount Kiera to form Western Suburbs in 1949
  • University of Wollongong (Books 1988–2005 1st grade; Titans 2009 3rd grade, 2010–11 1st grade; 1975–76 Division 2). Also known as the Lighthouse Keepers.
  • Wentworthville Magpies (1975–77)
  • West Wollongong (1921–24 lower grades, 1925–26 1st grade, 1927–28 lower grades, 1929–35 1st grade)
  • Wollongong (Buccaneers 1912–14, 1919–24, 1929–71 1st grade; Wolves 1972–88 1st grade; Bulls 1997 lower grades, 1998–2005 1st grade; Wollongong-University Bulls joint venture 2006–08 1st grade)

Lower Grades only

Clubs or teams that participated in two or more seasons are listed below. Participants in the Amateur Rugby League (1982–87) are included.

  • Albion Park Outlaws (1991–97, 2010–13)
  • Austinmer (1997–99)
  • Balgownie Tigers (1913–14, 1921–22, 1944–52, 1973–93)
  • Baxters Goannas (1991–93)
  • Bellambi (1997–2002)
  • Bomaderry Swamp Rats (2016–18 Women)
  • Bulli Hotel Colts (1989–95, 2005–09)
  • Cabbage Tree Hotel (1994)
  • Coniston (1931–33)
  • Fairy Meadow Chargers (1972–90)
  • Guinerys Goannas (1979–90)
  • Harp Angels (1986-91; Harp Hares 2003)
  • Illawarra All Blacks (1992–93)
  • Imperial Hotel Knights (1991–94)
  • Kiama Surf Bees (1988–92)
  • Lakeview Bears (1989–95)
  • Open Hearth Hotel (1975–78)
  • North Wollongong Surf (1972–79, 2009–14)
  • Ryans Hotel (1981–83 Roos, 1985–87 Colts)
  • Shellharbour Barracudas (1996–97)
  • South Pacific Lions (1981–82)
  • Tech (1944–54 Under 18/19 & 16/17 teams)
  • The Blues (Berkeley, 1997–99)
  • Unanderra Falcons (1981–97)
  • Welcome Inn (1995 Knights, 1996 Steamers)

First Grade Premiers

Tip: To view original newspaper articles on matches up to 1954, hover over the blue number in the Reports column and then click on the article name. That will open the article in Trove.

More information Season, Grand Final Information ...

Women's Opens Premiership

More information Season, Grand Final Information ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    ILLAWARRA RUGBY LEAGUE HISTORY Archived February 28, 2001, at the Wayback Machine
  2. [2]
    "Illawarra Team of the Century". NineMSN. 21 July 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  3. [3]
    "Illawarra rugby league name 'team of the century'". ABC News. 21 July 2011.
  4. [4]
    "Sporting". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 10 October 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  5. [5]
    "League Final – Won By Berkeley". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 1 October 1912. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  6. [6]
    "Unanderra-Figtree". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 30 July 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  7. [7]
    "Unanderra-Figtree". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 30 July 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  8. [8]
    "Football". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 18 July 1919. p. 7. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  9. [9]
    "Football". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 29 July 1921. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  10. [10]
    "Football – Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 22 September 1922. p. 1. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  11. [11]
    "Football". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 13 October 1922. p. 3. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  12. [12]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1923. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  13. [13]
    "League Football – First Grade Finishes – Port Kembla Premiers". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 8 August 1924. p. 7. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  14. [14]
    "Rugby League – Gerringong Premiers". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 4 September 1925. p. 13. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  15. [15]
    "Rugby League – Glebe the Premiers". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 24 September 1926. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  16. [16]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 30 September 1927. p. 11. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  17. [17]
    "Rugby League – Port Premiers". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 17 August 1928. p. 9. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  18. [18]
    "Illawarra Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 27 September 1929. p. 8. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  19. [19]
    "Illawarra Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 26 September 1930. p. 8. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  20. [20]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 28 August 1931. p. 10. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  21. [21]
    "Wollongong Rugby League Football Club". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 24 March 1933. p. 4. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  22. [22]
    "Football – The Grand Final – A Draw". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 15 September 1933. p. 11. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  23. [23]
    "Football". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 22 September 1933. p. 7. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  24. [24]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 5 October 1934. p. 4. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  25. [25]
    "Football". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 4 October 1935. p. 8. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  26. [26]
    "Sunday's Game". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 18 September 1936. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  27. [27]
    "Sporting – Football, Cricket, Bowls, Golf, Homing". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 1 October 1937. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  28. [28]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 30 September 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  29. [29]
    "Mount's Brilliant Win – Become First Super Grade Premiers". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 22 September 1939. p. 4. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  30. [30]
    "Hard Game Between Corrimal & Mt. Kembla". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 29 September 1939. p. 3. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  31. [31]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 6 October 1939. p. 4. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  32. [32]
    "Thrirroul's Turbulent Victory". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 20 September 1940. p. 12. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  33. [33]
    "£141 Gate – Port Win Premiership". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 11 September 1942. p. 6. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  34. [34]
    "Port Pack Punch Against 'Gong". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 20 August 1943. p. 8. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  35. [35]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 29 September 1944. p. 8. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  36. [36]
    "Grand Final Special". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 26 September 1970. p. 1.
  37. [37]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 13 September 1946. p. 12. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  38. [38]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 26 September 1947. p. 14. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  39. [39]
    "Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 30 September 1948. p. 10. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  40. [40]
    "League Premiership to Port Kembla". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 22 September 1949. p. 12. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  41. [41]
    "W'Gong's Last Minute League Win: Two Sent Off Field". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 2 October 1950. p. 12. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  42. [42]
    "Wollongong Retains First Grade Premiership". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 17 September 1951. p. 10. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  43. [43]
    "Norths Win First League Premiership". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 29 September 1952. p. 12. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  44. [44]
    "Simpson's Boot Gives Port League Premiership". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 7 September 1953. p. 12. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  45. [45]
    "League Premiership to Thirroul". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 27 September 1954. p. 12. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  46. [46]
    "Port's Slashing Win in Hard Fast Match". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 12 September 1955. p. 12.
  47. [47]
    "Port Premier: Clear Cut Win". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 17 September 1956. p. 8.
  48. [48]
    "Power-packed Rugby League finale – North Shone in Attack and Defence". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 26 September 1960. p. 14.
  49. [49]
    "Port Kembla's great win in League grand final". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 24 September 1962. p. 12.
  50. [50]
    "Brilliant Backline Won Grand Final For Port". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 23 September 1939. p. 15.
  51. [51]
    "Fine W'Gong Win in Grand Final". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 14 September 1964. p. 12.
  52. [52]
    "Dream Day is Dapto's". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 9 September 1968. p. 2.
  53. [53]
    "Grand Final Slosh-Up – Devils Devour Canaries 12–4". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 28 September 1970. p. 1.
  54. [54]
    "Day of the Cougar – Cool Cats whip Wolves". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 30 September 1974. p. 1.
  55. [55]
    "Veterans hold sway". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 10 September 1979. p. 31.
  56. [56]
    "Mouse traps IRL crown – Wests end battlers' fairytale". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 3 September 1984. p. 40.
  57. [57]
    "Canaries crush Collies in Illawarra Grand Final". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 23 September 1985. p. 38.
  58. [58]
    "Heroic Helensburgh Carlton League Kings". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 15 September 1986. p. 22.
  59. [59]
    "Creevey's Dogs break 20-year drought". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 14 September 1987. p. 20.
  60. [60]
    "It's a great day for the Tigers". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 5 September 1988. p. 27.
  61. [61]
    "Canaries rule – Awesome Dapto has the Books covered". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 21 September 1992. p. 26.
  62. [62]
    "Canaries crowned Carlton kings". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 22 August 1994. p. 24.
  63. [63]
    "Dogged display earns Collies a premiership". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 8 September 1997. p. 38.
  64. [64]
    "Dog of a day as Collies run riot". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 14 September 1998. p. 27.
  65. [65]
    "Thirroul Butchers Take Title". Thirroul Butchers. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  66. [66]
    "Butchers defy Tigers in absorbing decider". Illawarra Mercury. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  67. [67]
    "2014 Illawarra Coal League Grand Final Highlights – Thirroul Butchers v Helensburgh Tigers". BarTV Sports. 8 September 2014. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  68. [68]
    "2015 ICRL 1st Grade Grand Final Highlights Wests Devils Vs Helensburgh Tigers". BarTV Sports. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  69. [69]
    "2016 ICRL 1st Grade Grand Final Highlights – Western Suburbs Devils Vs Dapto Canaries". BarTV Sports. 12 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  70. [70]
    Jennings, Mitch (11 September 2017). "Collegians triumph over Dapto in grand final – Illawarra Mercury". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  71. [71]
    "2017 IDRL 1st Grade Grand Final Highlights – Collegians vs Dapto Canaries". BarTV Sports. 10 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  72. [72]
    "2018 IDRL 1st Grade Grand Final Highlights – Western Suburbs Vs Thirroul Butchers". BarTV Sports. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  73. [73]
    Jennings, Mitch (8 September 2019). "Veterans come up trumps to seal Collegians 2019 Illawarra League title". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  74. [74]
    "2019 IDRL 1st Grade Grand Final Highlights – Collegians vs Wests Devils". BarTV Sports. 9 September 2019. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  75. [75]
    "NSWRL cancels nine competitions for 2020 season". New South Wales Rugby League. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  76. [76]
    "Western Suburbs Devils v Collegians - Grand Final Highlights - Illawarra Rugby League 2022". YouTube. BarTV Sports. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  77. [77]
    Haylock, Ross (5 September 2022). "Collegians secure premiership in Illawarra Cup thriller". NSWRL. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  78. [78]
    Gandon, Mike (15 August 2011). "Hammond high five". Illawarra Mercury.
  79. [79]
    "2014 ICRL Womens Grand Final Highlights – Helensburgh Tigers v Port Kembla". BarTV Sports. 31 August 2014. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  80. [80]
    "2015 ICRL Womens in Defence League Grand Final Highlights – Corrimal Cougars v Helensburgh Tigers". BarTV Sports. 8 September 2015. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  81. [81]
    "2016 ICRL Womens In Defense League Grand Final Highlights – Helensburgh Tigers Vs Corrimal Cougars". BarTV Sports. 6 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  82. [82]
    "2017 Illawarra RL Open Women's Grand Final Highlights – Corrimal Cougars v Berkeley Eagles". BarTV Sports. 6 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  83. [83]
    "2018 IDRL IPW Open Grand Final Highlights – Corrimal Cougars Vs Helensburgh Tigers". BarTV Sports. 2 September 2018. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  84. [84]
    "2019 IDRL Women's Open Grand Final Highlights – Corrimal Cougars vs Helensburgh Tigers". BarTV Sports. 1 September 2019. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via YouTube.
  85. [85]
    Pasfield, Sam (30 September 2020). "Apps leads Helensburgh to premiership glory". NSWRL. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  86. [86]
    "2020 IDRL Women's Open Grand Final Highlights – Helensburgh Tigers vs Corrimal Cougars". BarTV Sports. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2020 – via YouTube.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Illawarra_Rugby_League, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.