Illawarra Rugby League

Summary

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.

Illawarra Division Rugby League
SportRugby league
Instituted1911
Inaugural season1911
Number of teams14
Country Australia
Premiers Collegians (2022)
Most titles Port Kembla (24 titles)
WebsiteIllawarra Rugby League
Broadcast partnerBarTV Sports
Related competitionPresidents Cup Conferences:
*Denton Engineering Cup (North)
*Ron Massey Cup (Central)
*Peter McDonald Premiership (West)

History edit

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 edit

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.

Club First
Season
Homeground Premierships Premiership Years 2024 Season
IC Res 3rd U18 LLT Jnr
First Grade Clubs
  Collegians Collie Dogs 1933 Collegians Sporting Complex, Figtree 12 1967, 1987, 1996-98, 2004-05, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2022 Yes Yes - Yes Yes Yes
  Corrimal Cougars 1912 Robert Zeims Park 2 1948, 1974 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
  Dapto Canaries 1911 Dapto Showground 17 1966, 1968, 1975-77, 1979, 1982-83, 1985, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000-02, 2006, 2016 Yes Yes - - Yes Yes
  De La Salle Caringbah 2022 Woolooware Oval 0 None Yes - - - - -
  Thirroul Butchers 1913 Thomas Gibson Oval 10 1940, 1954, 1973, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2023 Yes Yes - Yes Two Yes
  Western Suburbs Red Devils 1949 Sid Parrish Park, Figtree 16 1957, 1959, 1969-72, 1978, 1980-81, 1984, 1989, 1991, 2009-11, 2018 Yes Yes - Yes Two Yes
Second/Reserve Grade Clubs
  Avondale Wombats 2024 Dandaloo Sports Ground, Dapto 0 None - Yes Yes - - -
  Berkeley Eagles 1955 Berkeley Sports Ground 0 None - Yes Yes Yes - Yes
  Helensburgh Tigers 1911 Rex Jackson Oval 4 1986, 1988, 1993, 2015 - Yes Yes - Yes Yes
Third Grade Clubs
  Avondale Greyhounds 1976 Reed Park, Dapto 0 None - - Yes - Yes Yes
  Figtree Crushers 1995 Figtree High School 0 None - - Yes - Yes No
  Mount Kembla Lowries 1912 Mt Kembla Park 3 1936, 1939, 1939 (SG) - - Yes - - -
  Northern Suburbs Bulldogs 1946 Jim Allen Oval, Wombarra 3 1952, 1960-61 - - Yes - - Yes
  Windang Pelicans 1974 Boronia Oval, Windang 0 None - - Yes - - Yes
Junior/Women's Only Clubs
  Port Kembla Blacks 1913 Noel Mulligan Oval 24 1922-24, 1927-28, 1934-35, 1937-38, 1941-44, 1946, 1949, 1953, 1955-56, 1962-63, 1965 - - - Yes - Yes
  Woonona-Bulli Bushrangers 1972 Hollymount Park 0 None - - - - Yes Yes

Map edit

Local Area in New South Wales
 
 
8km
5miles
 
 
Woonona-Bulli
 
Port Kembla
 
Figtree
 
Windang
 
Northern Suburbs
 
Mount Kembla
 
Avondale
 
Thirroul
 
Helensburgh
 
Dapto
 
Corrimal
 
Collegians & Wests
 
Berkeley
  
 
Locations of Illawarra Rugby League clubs.
(Black = First Division Club, Red = Second Division/Junior Club)
 
 
300km
200miles
 
 
Wollongong
 
Canberra
 
Sydney
  
 
Relation to state & national capitals

Former clubs edit

First Grade edit

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 edit

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 edit

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.

Season Grand Final Information Minor Premiers
Premiers Score Runners-Up Report
1911   Wollongong 5–5   Mt. Keira IM[4]   Wollongong
1912   Berkeley (Unanderra) 11–0   Mt. Keira IM[5]
1913   Wollongong 10–5   Mt. Keira   Wollongong
1914   Unanderra 5–3   Wollongong IM[6]
1915   Unanderra IM[7]
1916–1918 – No competition due to World War I
1919   Unanderra 8–5   Wollongong IM[8]
1920   Wollongong   Wollongong
1921   Wollongong 5–3   Port Kembla IM[9]
1922   Port Kembla 0–0   Wollongong IM[10]
1922   Port Kembla 5–3   Wollongong IM[11]
1923   Port Kembla 3–0   Wollongong IM[12]
1924   Port Kembla 22–13   Wollongong (Glebe) IM[13]
1925   Gerringong 9–8   Port Kembla SCT[14]
1926   Wollongong (Glebe) 13–7   Mt. Keira IM[15]
1927   Port Kembla 2–0   Wollongong (Glebe) IM[16]   Port Kembla
1928   Port Kembla 10–6   Mt. Keira IM[17]   Port Kembla
1929   Wollongong Forfeit   Port Kembla IM[18]   Wollongong
1930   Wollongong 13–6   Port Kembla IM[19]   Port Kembla
1931   Wollongong 31–14   Thirroul IM[20]   Wollongong
1932   Wollongong 5–4   Mt. Keira SCT[21]
1933   West Wollongong 17–17   Wollongong IM[22]   West Wollongong
1933

Replay

  West Wollongong 16–11   Wollongong IM[23]
1934   Port Kembla 8–6   West Wollongong IM[24]   West Wollongong
1935   Port Kembla 15–8   West Wollongong IM[25]   Port Kembla
1936   Mount Kembla 12–8   Port Kembla IM[26]   Port Kembla
1937   Port Kembla 41–10   Wollongong IM[27]   Port Kembla
1938   Port Kembla 18–5   Mount Kembla IM[28]   Port Kembla
1939 (SG)[29]   Mount Kembla 26–15   Port Kembla IM[29]   Mount Kembla
1939   Mount Kembla 0–0   Corrimal IM[30]   Corrimal
1939

Replay

  Mount Kembla 8–2   Corrimal IM[31]   Corrimal
1940   Thirroul 4–3   Corrimal IM[32]   Thirroul
1941   Port Kembla 24–7   Corrimal
1942   Port Kembla 17–9   Collegians (CBC) IM[33]   Port Kembla
1943   Port Kembla 16–5   Port Kembla IM[34]   Wollongong
1944   Port Kembla 30–8   Thirroul IM[35]   Port Kembla
1945   Wollongong 5–2   Port Kembla IM[36]
1946   Port Kembla 19–14   Wollongong IM[37]
1947   Wollongong 21–8   Port Kembla IM[38]   Port Kembla
1948   Corrimal 22–7   Port Kembla IM[39]   Port Kembla
1949   Port Kembla 20–9   Wollongong IM[40]   Wollongong
1950   Wollongong 9–6   Port Kembla IM[41]   Port Kembla
1951   Wollongong 15–11   Corrimal IM[42]   Corrimal
1952   North Wollongong 18–5   Port Kembla IM[43]   North Wollongong
1953   Port Kembla 10–7   North Wollongong IM[44]   Port Kembla
1954   Thirroul 20–7   Port Kembla IM[45]   Thirroul
1955   Port Kembla 20–7   Wollongong IM[46]   Port Kembla
1956   Port Kembla 14–9   Wollongong IM[47]   Wollongong
1957   Wests 22–6   Wollongong
1958   Port Kembla 10–8   Wests
1959   Wests 12–6   North Wollongong
1960   North Wollongong 10–5   Port Kembla IM[48]   Port Kembla
1961   North Wollongong 10–2   Wollongong
1962   Port Kembla 10–9   North Wollongong IM[49]   North Wollongong
1963   Port Kembla 13–0   North Wollongong IM[50]   Port Kembla
1964   Wollongong 23–5   Port Kembla IM[51]   Wollongong
1965   Port Kembla 6–4   Wollongong   Collegians
1966   Dapto 13–6   Collegians   Collegians
1967   Collegians 12–4   Port Kembla   Collegians
1968   Dapto 17–11   Port Kembla IM[52]   Port Kembla
1969   Wests 11–2   Port Kembla   Port Kembla
1970   Wests 12–4   Dapto IM[53]   Thirroul
1971   Wests 18–11   Thirroul
1972   Wests 23–9   Thirroul
1973   Thirroul 8–6   Wests
1974   Corrimal 22–8   Wollongong IM[54]   Wollongong
1975   Dapto 15–2   Thirroul
1976   Dapto 22–6   Corrimal
1977   Dapto 18–5   Port Kembla   Wests
1978   Wests 17–13   Port Kembla   Wests
1979   Dapto 22–3   Wests IM[55]   Wests
1980   Wests 6–0   Port Kembla
1981   Wests 22–0   Corrimal
1982   Dapto 15–12   Corrimal   Corrimal
1983   Dapto 23–10   Wests   Wests
1984   Wests 24–4   Helensburgh IM[56]   Wests
1985   Dapto 40–4   Collegians IM[57]   Dapto
1986   Helensburgh 8–6   Collegians IM[58]   Collegians
1987   Collegians 16–2   Wests IM[59]   Thirroul
1988   Helensburgh 20–16   Collegians IM[60]   Collegians
1989   Wests 13–12   Corrimal   Corrimal
1990   Dapto 28–2   Collegians
1991   Wests 14–12   Dapto   Wests
1992   Dapto 28–6   University IM[61]   Dapto
1993   Helensburgh 22–8   Wests   Helensburgh
1994   Dapto 22–14   Wests IM[62]
1995   Thirroul 23–22   Wests   Thirroul
1996   Collegians 11–2   Thirroul   Collegians
1997   Collegians 32–16   Dapto IM[63]
1998   Collegians 34–10   University IM[64]
1999   Thirroul 40–12   Collegians
2000   Dapto 30–14   Thirroul   Dapto
2001   Dapto 18–12   Thirroul   Collegians
2002   Dapto 20–16   Collegians   Collegians
2003   Thirroul 28–22   Dapto RLW   Thirroul
2004   Collegians 10–4   Thirroul   Collegians
2005   Collegians 16–14   Wests   Collegians
2006   Dapto 34–14   Thirroul   Dapto
2007   Collegians 20–18   Dapto   Dapto
2008   Thirroul 16–12   Collegians   Thirroul
2009   Wests 14–4   Thirroul   Wests
2010   Wests 24–0   Thirroul   Wests
2011   Wests 34–24   Helensburgh   Wests
2012   Thirroul 20–16   Wests TB[65]   Wests
2013   Collegians 29–28   Helensburgh   Collegians
2014   Thirroul 18–16   Helensburgh IM[66] VH[67]   Thirroul
2015   Helensburgh 16–10   Wests VH[68]   Helensburgh
2016   Dapto 28–16   Wests VH[69]   Dapto
2017   Collegians 22–14   Dapto IM[70] VH[71]   Dapto
2018   Wests 18–16   Thirroul VH[72]   Wests
2019   Collegians 16–14   Wests IM[73] VH[74]   Thirroul
2020 No 1st Grade competition due to COVID-19.[75]
2021 Competition suspended and subsequently abandoned due to COVID-19.
2022   Collegians 12–10   Wests VH[76] NS[77]   Thirroul

Women's Opens Premiership edit

Season Grand Final Information Minor Premiers
Premiers Score Runners-Up Report
2011   Helensburgh 48–12   University of Wollongong IM[78]
2012   Helensburgh   Wests   Wests
2014   Helensburgh 42–6   Port Kembla VH[79]   Helensburgh
2015   Corrimal 20–16   Helensburgh VH[80]   Corrimal
2016   Helensburgh 24–10   Corrimal VH[81]   Berkeley
2017   Corrimal 24–0   Berkeley VH[82]   Corrimal
2018   Corrimal 28–0   Helensburgh VH[83]   Corrimal
2019   Corrimal 18–8   Helensburgh VH[84]   Helensburgh
2020   Helensburgh 40–24   Corrimal NSWRL[85] VH[86]   Helensburgh
No competitions in 2021–2022 seasons
2023–onwards merged with Women's Southern Corridor Competition

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ ILLAWARRA RUGBY LEAGUE HISTORY Archived February 28, 2001, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Illawarra Team of the Century". NineMSN. 21 July 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Illawarra rugby league name 'team of the century'". ABC News. 21 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Sporting". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 10 October 1911. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  5. ^ "League Final – Won By Berkeley". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 1 October 1912. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Unanderra-Figtree". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 30 July 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Unanderra-Figtree". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 30 July 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Football". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 18 July 1919. p. 7. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Football". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 29 July 1921. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Football – Rugby League". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 22 September 1922. p. 1. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Football". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 13 October 1922. p. 3. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
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  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. ^ "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. ^ "Rugby League – Glebe the Premiers". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: National Library of Australia. 24 September 1926. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
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  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. ^ "Day of the Cougar – Cool Cats whip Wolves". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 30 September 1974. p. 1.
  55. ^ "Veterans hold sway". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 10 September 1979. p. 31.
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  57. ^ "Canaries crush Collies in Illawarra Grand Final". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 23 September 1985. p. 38.
  58. ^ "Heroic Helensburgh Carlton League Kings". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 15 September 1986. p. 22.
  59. ^ "Creevey's Dogs break 20-year drought". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 14 September 1987. p. 20.
  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. ^ "Canaries rule – Awesome Dapto has the Books covered". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 21 September 1992. p. 26.
  62. ^ "Canaries crowned Carlton kings". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 22 August 1994. p. 24.
  63. ^ "Dogged display earns Collies a premiership". Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong: State Library of NSW – Microfilm RAV 318. 8 September 1997. p. 38.
  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. ^ "Thirroul Butchers Take Title". Thirroul Butchers. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  66. ^ "Butchers defy Tigers in absorbing decider". Illawarra Mercury. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
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External links and Sources edit

  • First grade ladder – from Sporting Pulse site
  • Illawarra RL on Country Rugby League's official site
  • Trove Digitised Newspapers
  • Rugby League Week at State Library of NSW Research and Collections