Newcastle Rugby League
SportRugby league
Instituted1910
Inaugural season1910
Number of teams11
Country Australia
Premiers Maitland (2023)
Most titles West Newcastle (23 titles)
WebsiteNewcastle RL on facebook
Broadcast partnerBar TV Sports (Australia)
Related competitionPresidents Cup Conferences:
*Peter McDonald Premiership (West)
*Ron Massey Cup (Central)
*Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup (South)

The Newcastle Rugby League is a local rugby league football competition in Newcastle, Australia. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1910. A Newcastle representative team was also assembled from players in the League during most of the 20th century. The first grade competition also comprises the NSWRL Presidents Cup Northern Conference.

History

The original franchise from Newcastle competed in the inaugural Sydney Rugby League premiership of 1908 but withdrew after the 1909 season to form the local competition under the banner of the Northern Branch of the NSWRL.

The four original teams were Central Newcastle (Blue & White), North Newcastle (Light & Dark Blue vertical stripes), South Newcastle (Red & White) and West Newcastle (Red & Green).[1] The season kicked off 14 May 1910 with South playing West and Central playing Northern Suburbs. South Newcastle finished the season on top of the ladder; the final was played in front of 2500 spectators at Hamilton League Ground, with Central overcoming South 13–4.

The 1911 season saw the previous minor premiers South slump to the bottom of the ladder. The final was played in front of 4000 spectators and saw North victorious over Central 10–2. 1911 saw the Combined Newcastle & Hunter team Tour Queensland, defeating the Queensland State team in all matches played. Newcastle played against the touring New Zealand team in a tight match almost pulling off an upset before going down 21–20.

The 1912 season saw the addition of East Newcastle, playing in Black and White. They were immediately competitive and made the grand final.

The First World War saw a halt to the competition for 1917 and 1918. Although the Newcastle Morning Herald did continue to publish results for competition games for those two years.[2] The NSW Football League sacked most of the local officials following an early game of the 1917 season in which the Western Suburbs Club played a disqualified player. The competition was thrown into turmoil and the season was abandoned. The 1918 season was also abandoned because the officials were still serving their suspensions and the player shortage had worsened.

1919 saw a split, with two smaller competitions held – the "Lilywhites" or clubs faithful to the NSWRL, composed of Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs, and the "Bolsheviks" or rebels composed of South, Central, North and West.

1920 saw the competition reunited when the Newcastle Rugby League (NRL) was officially formed and expanded to six teams as Kurri Kurri competed for the first time. The Newcastle Sports Ground (No1) was officially opened 16 September 1922 on land donated by the Australian Agricultural Company. The opening was marked between Western Suburbs (Sydney) and a Newcastle representative side, with Newcastle winning 20–16. The first game under lights was played at the Newcastle Coursing and Sporting Club (later the Newcastle Greyhound track) at Hamilton South in 1928.

The 1930s saw the emergence of the Coalfields teams (such as Cessnock Goannas in 1930). Football games were first broadcast on the radio in this decade, but only after considerable debate by Newcastle Rugby League. The record score was established in this decade on 27 July 1939, when Northern Suburbs defeated Morpeth-East Maitland 127–16. North winger Alf Fairhall scored 11 tries and kicked 14 goals, with the game called off 20 minutes early.

The Country Rugby League (CRL) formed in 1934 and became the governing body for the sport of rugby league in areas of New South Wales outside the Sydney metropolitan area, such as Newcastle.

In the mid 1950s,the major football clubs were opening large licensed Social Clubs. Bar and poker machine revenue from these clubs provided a new source of cash to fund and develop the game. Also in this era, the 'six-yard rule' was introduced to keep both the attacking and defending teams from being within three yards of the play the ball.

Prior to 1960, if the minor premiers were defeated in the playoffs, they then had the right to challenge the winner of the final to a grand final match. The Second Division competition started in 1960 with nine teams, growing to 23 for the 1961 season. Macquarie also entered the league in 1960. In 1962, the local Television station (NBN 3) began transmitting to Newcastle audiences.

From 1963 to 1965, the Newcastle representative team won 15 consecutive matches, including wins in three Country Championships and wins against South Africa and France, and the famous victories in the State Cup. This Cup, in which Sydney teams played NSW Country Divisional teams in a knockout competition, was launched in 1964 by the NSWRL. Newcastle defeated South Sydney, North Sydney, the all-conquering St George and Parramatta to win the Cup. This side featured names such as Terry Pannowitz, Allan Buman, and Dave Brown (captain).

In 1968, the Central Newcastle club relocated from the inner-city to Charlestown and became Central-Charlestown, popularly known as 'The Butcher Boys'.

During the 1970s, the ten District clubs engaged in an impressive line-up of high profile Captain/Coaches. Great Britain international Terry Clawson (South Newcastle), immortal and Australian international Johnny Raper (Western Suburbs), Australian international Brian 'Chicka' Moore (Macquarie) and Australian international Alan Thomson (Lakes United), to name a few. In 1971, the 'six tackle rule' was introduced. In 1978, foundation club Northern Suburbs became North Newcastle after it enlarged its district to include Raymond Terrace and Nelson Bay.

In 1988, the league changed majorly with the introduction of the Newcastle Knights into the NSWRL competition, the first representation of the Newcastle and Hunter region since the Newcastle Rebels departed after the 1909 season.

As a result, the 1990s saw the Newcastle Knights attract the lion's share of the spectators in Newcastle and support for local clubs suffered. This downturn was offset to a certain extent when former Knights players began to filter into the local competition. The drift of players boosted the profile of the local league, which was no more evident than when Steve Linnane led Kurri to a trifecta of premierships in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

The 2000s saw the league implement a 'salary cap' and a 'points system' for players signing with a 'new' club. This innovation was designed to control spending and to keep clubs alive and well. A joint venture launched in 2009 by the Knights and the Newcastle Rugby League was labelled 'the Player Placement Program', designed to allow Knights players not required by their club on a weekend, to play in the local competition.

2020 saw the competition cancelled for the first time in over one hundred years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions easing, a decision was made to implement a two tiered amateur competition. First Grade would feature Lakes United, Western Suburbs, Cessnock, Maitland, Central and Souths. Reserve Grade would see representation from Western Suburbs, Lakes United, Cessnock, Maitland, Central, Souths and Kurri Kurri. Of further note, Maitland also elected to participate in the Presidents Cup, spreading their resources across the two Newcastle competitions as well as the New South Wales based Presidents Cup, which they won. Cessnock defeated South Newcastle in the First Grade Grand Final.[3]

The 2021 season featured the regular clubs, as well as both Wyong and The Entrance, forming a 10 team, 18 round competition. The Entrance will contest the competition for the first time in their history. As well as this, the Major Premiers also now advance to meet title winners from Illawarra, Ron Massey Cup and a wildcard in a conference style President's Cup at the end of the year.[4] Unfortunately, the competition was interrupted by COVID-19 restrictions placed on the Hunter region, with a decision made to cancel the competition prior to any finals being played. Maitland Pickers had secured the Minor Premiership, but there would be no Major Premiers for season 2021. No President's Cup tournament was contested.[5]

Season 2022 saw the Maitland Pickers claim the minor premiership with 31 competition points, with Central Newcastle (29), Macquarie Scorpions (22), Cessnock Goannas (22) and South Newcastle (22) rounding out the top five. On 11 September 2022, Maitland Pickers claimed their 13th premiership with a 40–4 victory over Macquarie Scorpions at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.[6] On 25 September 2022, Maitland defended their Presidents Cup crown with a 36–12 win over The Hills Bulls.[7] 2022 NSWRL Presidents Cup.

Season 2023 included The Northern Hawks, bumping the number of teams in the league to 11.[8] All teams will compete in the overarching 2023 NSWRL Presidents Cup. 2023 saw the modern-day version of the Newcastle Rebels, a team constructed of the best talent from the Newcastle Rugby League, return to the Men's Country Championships.[9] Maitland Pickers won the Premiership to secure back to back titles, defeating South Newcastle Lions 46-10.[10]

Current clubs

  • Central Charlestown
    • (formerly Central Charlestown & Central Newcastle – moved to Charlestown in the early 1960s)[11]
    • Nickname: Butcher Boys
    • Home Ground: St John Oval, Charlestown (played at Passmore Oval, Wickham in 2008; Central Newcastle played at Learmonth Park, Hamilton, before merging with Charlestown)
    • Joined competition: 1910
    • Premierships: 1910 1921 1928 1930 1937 1939 1949 (7)
  • Cessnock[12]
    • Nickname: Goannas
    • Home Ground: Cessnock Sportsground, Cessnock (formerly Old Cessnock Sportsground, where Big W currently stands, prior 2004)
    • Joined competition: 1930
    • Premierships: 1941 1950 1954 1955 1960 1972 1977 2003 2020* (9)
  • Kurri Kurri
    • Nickname: Bulldogs
    • Home Ground: Kurri Sportsground "The Graveyard", Kurri Kurri
    • Joined competition: 1920 (club formed in 1911)
    • Premierships: 1931 1940 1945 1993 1994 1995 (6)
  • Lakes United
    • Nickname: Seagulls
    • Home Ground: Cahill Oval, Belmont
    • Joined competition: 1947
    • Premierships: 1947 1974 1975 1985 1986 1987 1996 2001 2006 2007 2015 (11)
  • Macquarie
    • (formerly Macquarie United and Toronto Workers)
    • Nickname: Scorpions
    • Home Ground: Lyall Peacock Field, Toronto
    • Joined competition: 1960
    • Premierships: 1991 2017 (2)
  • Maitland
    • (originally Maitland United – merged with Morpeth-East Maitland in 1942)
    • Nickname: Pickers (formerly Pumpkin Pickers)
    • Homeground: Maitland Sportsground, Maitland (formerly Coronation Oval, Telarah for 2 years while Maitland Sportsground was rebuilt)
    • Years in competition: 1925–2003; 2005–2007; 2009–
    • Premierships: 1933 1934 1956 1957 1958 1965 1969 1971 1973 1983 2010 2011 2022 2023 (14)
  • Northern Hawks
    • Successor to Northern Suburbs, original Northern & Port Stephens
    • Nickname: Hawks
    • Home Ground: Tomaree Sporting Complex, Nelson Bay
    • Years in competition: 2021–
    • Premierships: (Reserves 2022)
  • South Newcastle[13]
    • Nickname: Lions
    • Home Ground: Townson Oval, Merewether
    • Joined competition: 1910
    • Premierships: 1927 1943 1946 1963 1964 1968 1976 1988 1989 2016 2018 (11)
  • West Newcastle
    • Nickname: Rosellas or the Maggots
    • Home Ground: Harker Oval, New Lambton
    • Joined competition: 1910
    • Premierships: 1912 1915 1916 1922 1961 1966 1970 1978 1980 1981 1982 1984 1992 1997 1998 1999 2002 2004 2008 2012 2013 2014 2019 (23)
  • Wyong
    • Nickname: Roos (mascot is a Kangaroo)
    • Home Ground: Morrie Breen Oval, Wyong
    • Years in competition: 2003–2012 & 2020–present
    • Premierships: 2009 (1)
  • The Entrance
    • Nickname: Tigers
    • Home Ground: EDSACC Oval, Bateau Bay
    • Years in competition: 2021–onward
    • Premierships: 0

Former clubs

  • East Newcastle
    • Nickname: Unknown
    • Home Ground: Newcastle No. 1 Sportsground, Newcastle West (also played at Wickham Oval, Wickham & Lynn Oval, Stockton)
    • Years in competition: 1912–1942
    • Premierships: 1913 1923 1924 1932 (4)
  • Northern
    • (also North-Nelson Bay Marlins, Northern Blues and Nelson Bay Blues); successor to Northern Suburbs
    • Nickname: Blues (mascot is a Marlin)
    • Home Ground: Tomaree Sporting Complex, Nelson Bay
    • Years in competition: 1989–2011
    • Premierships: 2005 (1)
  • North Newcastle
    • Nickname: Bluebags
    • Homeground: Passmore Oval, Wickham
    • Years in competition: 1910–1988 (re-located to Nelson Bay as North-Nelson Bay) (now play in Newcastle & Hunter Rugby League)
    • Premierships: 1911 1914 1920 1925 1926 1929 1935 1938 1948 1951 1953 1959 1962 1967 1979 (15)
  • Port Stephens
    • Successor to Northern
    • Nickname: Sharks
    • Home Ground: Tomaree Sporting Complex, Nelson Bay and Lakeside Oval, Raymond Terrace
    • Years in competition: 2012–2014
    • Premierships:
  • Waratah Mayfield
    • Nickname: Cheetahs
    • Home Ground: Waratah Oval, Waratah
    • Years in competition: 1927–2001; 2003–2004 (now play in Newcastle & Hunter Rugby League)
    • Premierships: 1936 1942 1944 1952 1990 2000 (6)
  • Raymond Terrace
    • Nickname: Magpies
    • Home Ground: Lakeside Oval, Raymond Terrace
    • Years in competition: 2001–2008 (now play in Newcastle & Hunter Rugby League)
    • Premierships: nil
  • 1919 featured a combined Rebel team (South Newcastle/Central Newcastle) who won the competition.

Premiers

Past winners of the Newcastle RL Premiership

Season Grand Final Information Minor Premiers
Premiers Score Runners-Up
1910 Central Newcastle 13–4 South Newcastle South Newcastle
1911 North Newcastle 10–2 Central Newcastle North Newcastle
1912 West Newcastle 10–7 East Newcastle West Newcastle
1913 East Newcastle 18–0 West Newcastle East Newcastle
1914 North Newcastle 5–2 Central Newcastle North Newcastle
1915 West Newcastle 16–8 North Newcastle West Newcastle
1916 West Newcastle 10–8 North Newcastle North Newcastle
1917 no competition
1918 no competition
1919 South Newcastle Central Newcastle (Combined Rebel Side) 7–2 West Newcastle
1920 North Newcastle South Newcastle
1921 Central Newcastle West Newcastle
1922 West Newcastle Central Newcastle
1923 East Newcastle North Newcastle
1924 East Newcastle North Newcastle
1925 North Newcastle East Newcastle
1926 North Newcastle South Newcastle
1927 South Newcastle North Newcastle
1928 Central Newcastle North Newcastle
1929 North Newcastle Waratah-Mayfield
1930 Central Newcastle South Newcastle
1931 Kurri Kurri North Newcastle
1932 East Newcastle Cessnock
1933 Maitland United 20–0 Waratah-Mayfield
1934 Maitland United 4–2 Waratah-Mayfield
1935 North Newcastle Central Newcastle
1936 Waratah-Mayfield Cessnock
1937 Central Newcastle Cessnock
1938 North Newcastle Waratah-Mayfield
1939 Central Newcastle West Newcastle
1940 Kurri Kurri Cessnock
1941 Cessnock 18–3[14] South Newcastle
1942 Waratah-Mayfield South Newcastle
1943 South Newcastle Waratah-Mayfield
1944 Waratah-Mayfield West Newcastle
1945 Kurri Kurri South Newcastle
1946 South Newcastle 11–3 West Newcastle
1947 Lakes United North Newcastle
1948 North Newcastle 5–4 Kurri Kurri
1949 Central Newcastle 28–15 Kurri Kurri
1950 Cessnock 19–12[14] Central Newcastle
1951 North Newcastle 12–8 Maitland North Newcastle
1952 Waratah-Mayfield 5–4 Lakes United Waratah-Mayfield
1953 North Newcastle 16–11 Cessnock
1954 Cessnock 15–3[14] Maitland Cessnock
1955 Cessnock 9–7[14] Maitland Cessnock
1956 Maitland 16–9 Cessnock Maitland
1957 Maitland 17–12 Kurri Kurri Maitland
1958 Maitland 22–7 Cessnock Maitland
1959 North Newcastle 13–12 Maitland North Newcastle
1960 Cessnock 33–5[14] Maitland Cessnock
1961 West Newcastle 10–9 Waratah-Mayfield West Newcastle
1962 North Newcastle 18–6 South Newcastle North Newcastle
1963 South Newcastle 12–7 Central Newcastle South Newcastle
1964 South Newcastle 17–12 West Newcastle West Newcastle
1965 Maitland 22–3 South Newcastle South Newcastle
1966 West Newcastle 31–9 Cessnock West Newcastle
1967 North Newcastle 13–11 West Newcastle West Newcastle
1968 South Newcastle 9–6 Lakes United West Newcastle Lakes United (tied)
1969 Maitland 19–9 Lakes United Maitland
1970 West Newcastle 21–14 Maitland Maitland
1971 Maitland 30–19 Lakes United Maitland
1972 Cessnock 18–10[14] Maitland Maitland
1973 Maitland 27–18 West Newcastle West Newcastle
1974 Lakes United 7–2 West Newcastle West Newcastle
1975 Lakes United 30–17 West Newcastle Maitland
1976 South Newcastle 22–15 West Newcastle Lakes United
1977 Cessnock 21–17[14] Maitland Cessnock
1978 West Newcastle 23–16 South Newcastle West Newcastle
1979 North Newcastle 20–8 Cessnock North Newcastle
1980 West Newcastle 17–13 Cessnock Kurri Kurri
1981 West Newcastle 13–2 Cessnock West Newcastle
1982 West Newcastle 21–14 Kurri Kurri West Newcastle
1983 Maitland 20–12 Cessnock Maitland
1984 West Newcastle 10–2 Lakes United Lakes United
1985 Lakes United 12–6 Cessnock Cessnock
1986 Lakes United 4–0 South Newcastle Lakes United
1987 Lakes United 24–16 South Newcastle South Newcastle
1988 South Newcastle 29–18 Lakes United South Newcastle
1989 South Newcastle 20–12 West Newcastle South Newcastle
1990 Waratah-Mayfield 17–14 Lakes United Lakes United
1991 Toronto Workers 21–10 West Newcastle South Newcastle
1992 West Newcastle 33–0 Lakes United West Newcastle
1993 Kurri Kurri 20–18 West Newcastle West Newcastle
1994 Kurri Kurri 20–16 Toronto Workers West Newcastle
1995 Kurri Kurri 24–4 West Newcastle West Newcastle
1996 Lakes United 16–6 West Newcastle West Newcastle
1997 West Newcastle 26–16 Lakes United Lakes United
1998 West Newcastle 51–14 South Newcastle West Newcastle
1999 West Newcastle 22–18 Cessnock West Newcastle
2000 Waratah-Mayfield 20–14 Lakes United Waratah-Mayfield
2001 Lakes United 18–10 West Newcastle Lakes United
2002 West Newcastle 27–16 Lakes United Lakes United
2003 Cessnock 22–20[14] Raymond Terrace West Newcastle
2004 West Newcastle 32–28 Northern Blues West Newcastle
2005 Northern Blues 30–12 West Newcastle West Newcastle
2006 Lakes United 40–24 Nelson Bay Lakes United
2007 Lakes United 32–12 Wyong Lakes United
2008 West Newcastle 12–10 Cessnock West Newcastle
2009 Wyong 36–4 Cessnock Cessnock
2010 Maitland 24–8 Cessnock Maitland
2011 Maitland 19–18 West Newcastle Maitland
2012 West Newcastle 16–14 Cessnock Cessnock
2013 West Newcastle 21–8 Kurri Kurri West Newcastle
2014 West Newcastle 22–8 Cessnock West Newcastle
2015 Lakes United 24–18 Macquarie West Newcastle
2016 South Newcastle 21–12 Macquarie Macquarie
2017 Macquarie 24–6 West Newcastle West Newcastle
2018 South Newcastle 30–18 Lakes United Lakes United
2019 West Newcastle 36–0 Cessnock West Newcastle
2020 Cessnock* 20–6 South Newcastle Wyong
2021 Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions Maitland
2022 Maitland 40–4 Macquarie Maitland
2023 Maitland 46–10 South Newcastle Maitland

Team of the Century

In 2008, rugby league football's centennial year in Australia, the Newcastle Rugby League named its 'Team of the Century':[15]

  1. Clive Churchill (Central Newcastle)
  2. Eddie Lumsden (Kurri Kurri)
  3. Ron Bailey (Waratah-Mayfield)
  4. Brian Carlson (North)
  5. Johnny Graves (Maitland)
  6. Bob Banks (Central Newcastle)
  7. Andrew Johns (Cessnock)
  8. Paul Harragon (Lakes United)
  9. Allan Buman (West Newcastle)
  10. Jim Gibbs (South Newcastle)
  11. Don Schofield (Cessnock)
  12. Herb Narvo (North Newcastle)
  13. (c) Wally Prigg (West Newcastle)
  14. John Sattler (Kurri Kurri)
  15. Albert Paul (Lakes United)
  16. Matthew Gidley (West Newcastle)
  17. Les Johns (South Newcastle)

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/aus/nsw/ncl/nclcomps.htm
  2. ↑ Newcastle Morning Herald Microfiche archive, held at Newcastle University
  3. ↑ "Regional and Metro teams to meet in unique 2020 Presidents Cup". New South Wales Rugby League. 30 June 2020.
  4. ↑ Josh Callinan (10 December 2020). "Central Coast clubs set to join Newcastle RL in 2021; new-look President's Cup series". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "Major premiers blank as Newcastle RL campaign over". Newcastle Herald. 3 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Maitland Pickers vs Macquarie Scorpions - Grand Final, 2022 - Match Centre".
  7. ↑ "Pickers trample Bulls to win another President's Cup". 25 September 2022.
  8. ↑ "Competition: 2023 Denton Engineering Cup Draw".
  9. ↑ "Bettridge handed reins to Newcastle Rebels". 23 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Maitland DE Cup vs South Newcastle DE Cup - Grand Final, 2023 - Match Centre".
  11. ↑ "League Unlimited :: Rugby League News, Headlines, Results and Live Updates". www.leagueunlimited.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
  12. ↑ "Cessnock Rugby League Football". Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  13. ↑ "Souths Merewether". www.southleagues.com.au. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Club History". cessnockrugbyleague.net.au. Cessnock Rugby League Football Club. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "Newcastle Rugby League – Team of the Century". Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  • Power, Bob (1992). The Rebels of Rugby: The Story of Newcastle Rugby League Pioneers "The Bolsheviks vs. The Lilywhites" 1907–1920. Newcastle, New South Wales: self.
  • Ryan, Graham & Betty et al., Newcastle Knights 1988: Collectors Edition, Macquarie Publications, Dubbo, 1988.
  • Pat "Nimmo" Walsh Family archive Newspaper Match Reports.
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