Newcastle Rugby League
Sport | Rugby league |
---|---|
Instituted | 1910 |
Inaugural season | 1910 |
Number of teams | 10 |
Country | ![]() |
Premiers | ![]() |
Most titles | ![]() |
Website | Newcastle RL on facebook |
Broadcast partner | (Australia) |
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[]
A Newcastle team competed in the inaugural New South Wales Rugby League premiership of 1908 but withdrew after the 1909 season to form the local competition.
The four original teams were Central Newcastle (Blue & White), Northern Suburbs (Light & Dark Blue vertical stripes), South Newcastle (Red & White) and Western Suburbs (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 Eastern Suburbs, 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]
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 and expanded to six teams as Kurri Kurri competed for the first time.
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]
Current clubs[]
Central Charlestown Butcher Boys
- (formerly Central Charlestown & Central Newcastle – moved to Charlestown in the early 1960s)[6]
- 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[7]
- 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 (12)
South Newcastle[8]
- Nickname: Lions
- Home Ground: Townson Oval, Merewether
- Joined competition: 1910
- Premierships: 1927 1943 1946 1963 1964 1968 1976 1988 1989 2016 2018 (11)
Western Suburbs
- 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)
- 1919 featured a combined Rebel team (South Newcastle/Central Newcastle) who won the competition.
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[]
- 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 – they returned to Northern Blues)
- Nickname: Blues (mascot is a Marlin)
- Home Ground: Tomaree Sporting Complex, Nelson Bay
- Years in competition: 1989–2011
- Premierships: 2005 (1)
- 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)
- 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
Premiers[]
Past winners of the Newcastle RL Premiership
Season | Grand Final Information | Minor Premiers | ||
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Premiers | Score | Runners-Up | ||
1910 | ![]() |
13–4 | ![]() |
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1911 | ![]() |
10–2 | ![]() |
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1912 | ![]() |
10–7 | ![]() |
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1913 | ![]() |
18–0 | ![]() |
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1914 | ![]() |
5–2 | ![]() |
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1915 | ![]() |
16–8 | ![]() |
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1916 | ![]() |
10–8 | ![]() |
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1917 | no competition | |||
1918 | no competition | |||
1919 | ![]() ![]() |
7–2 | ![]() |
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1920 | ![]() |
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1921 | ![]() |
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1922 | ![]() |
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1923 | ![]() |
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1924 | ![]() |
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1925 | ![]() |
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1926 | ![]() |
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1927 | ![]() |
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1928 | ![]() |
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1929 | ![]() |
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1930 | ![]() |
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1931 | ![]() |
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1932 | ![]() |
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1933 | ![]() |
20–0 | ![]() |
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1934 | ![]() |
4–2 | ![]() |
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1935 | ![]() |
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1936 | ![]() |
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1937 | ![]() |
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1938 | ![]() |
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1939 | ![]() |
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1940 | ![]() |
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1941 | ![]() |
18–3[9] | ![]() |
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1942 | ![]() |
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1943 | ![]() |
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1944 | ![]() |
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1945 | ![]() |
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1946 | ![]() |
11–3 | ![]() |
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1947 | ![]() |
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1948 | ![]() |
5–4 | ![]() |
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1949 | ![]() |
28–15 | ![]() |
|
1950 | ![]() |
19–12[9] | ![]() |
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1951 | ![]() |
12–8 | ![]() |
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1952 | ![]() |
5–4 | ![]() |
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1953 | ![]() |
16–11 | ![]() |
|
1954 | ![]() |
15–3[9] | ![]() |
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1955 | ![]() |
9–7[9] | ![]() |
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1956 | ![]() |
16–9 | ![]() |
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1957 | ![]() |
17–12 | ![]() |
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1958 | ![]() |
22–7 | ![]() |
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1959 | ![]() |
13–12 | ![]() |
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1960 | ![]() |
33–5[9] | ![]() |
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1961 | ![]() |
10–9 | ![]() |
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1962 | ![]() |
18–6 | ![]() |
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1963 | ![]() |
12–7 | ![]() |
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1964 | ![]() |
17–12 | ![]() |
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1965 | ![]() |
22–3 | ![]() |
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1966 | ![]() |
31–9 | ![]() |
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1967 | ![]() |
13–11 | ![]() |
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1968 | ![]() |
9–6 | ![]() |
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1969 | ![]() |
19–9 | ![]() |
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1970 | ![]() |
21–14 | ![]() |
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1971 | ![]() |
30–19 | ![]() |
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1972 | ![]() |
18–10[9] | ![]() |
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1973 | ![]() |
27–18 | ![]() |
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1974 | ![]() |
7–2 | ![]() |
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1975 | ![]() |
30–17 | ![]() |
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1976 | ![]() |
22–15 | ![]() |
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1977 | ![]() |
21–17[9] | ![]() |
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1978 | ![]() |
23–16 | ![]() |
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1979 | ![]() |
20–8 | ![]() |
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1980 | ![]() |
17–13 | ![]() |
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1981 | ![]() |
13–2 | ![]() |
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1982 | ![]() |
21–14 | ![]() |
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1983 | ![]() |
20–12 | ![]() |
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1984 | ![]() |
10–2 | ![]() |
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1985 | ![]() |
12–6 | ![]() |
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1986 | ![]() |
4–0 | ![]() |
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1987 | ![]() |
24–16 | ![]() |
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1988 | ![]() |
29–18 | ![]() |
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1989 | ![]() |
20–12 | ![]() |
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1990 | ![]() |
17–14 | ![]() |
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1991 | ![]() |
21–10 | ![]() |
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1992 | ![]() |
33–0 | ![]() |
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1993 | ![]() |
20–18 | ![]() |
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1994 | ![]() |
20–16 | ![]() |
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1995 | ![]() |
24–4 | ![]() |
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1996 | ![]() |
16–6 | ![]() |
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1997 | ![]() |
26–16 | ![]() |
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1998 | ![]() |
51–14 | ![]() |
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1999 | ![]() |
22–18 | ![]() |
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2000 | ![]() |
20–14 | ![]() |
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2001 | ![]() |
18–10 | ![]() |
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2002 | ![]() |
27–16 | ![]() |
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2003 | ![]() |
22–20[9] | ![]() |
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2004 | ![]() |
32–28 | ![]() |
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2005 | ![]() |
30–12 | ![]() |
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2006 | ![]() |
40–24 | ![]() |
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2007 | ![]() |
32–12 | ![]() |
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2008 | ![]() |
12–10 | ![]() |
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2009 | ![]() |
36–4 | ![]() |
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2010 | ![]() |
24–8 | ![]() |
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2011 | ![]() |
19–18 | ![]() |
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2012 | ![]() |
16–14 | ![]() |
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2013 | ![]() |
21–8 | ![]() |
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2014 | ![]() |
22–8 | ![]() |
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2015 | ![]() |
24–18 | ![]() |
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2016 | ![]() |
21–12 | ![]() |
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2017 | ![]() |
24–6 | ![]() |
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2018 | ![]() |
30–18 | ![]() |
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2019 | ![]() |
36–0 | ![]() |
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2020 | ![]() |
20-6 | ![]() |
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2021 | Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions | ![]() |
Team of the Century[]
In 2008, rugby league football's centennial year in Australia, the Newcastle Rugby League named its 'Team of the Century':[10]
- Clive Churchill (Central)
- Eddie Lumsden (Kurri Kurri)
- Ron Bailey (Waratah-Mayfield)
- Brian Carlson (North)
- Johnny Graves (Maitland)
- Bob Banks (Central)
- Andrew Johns (Cessnock)
- Paul Harragon (Lakes United)
- (West)
- Jim Gibbs (South)
- Don Schofield (Cessnock)
- Herb Narvo (North)
- (c) Wally Prigg (West)
- John Sattler (Kurri Kurri)
- (Lakes United)
- Matthew Gidley (West)
- Les Johns (South)
See also[]
- Rugby League Competitions in Australia
- Rugby league in New South Wales
References[]
- ^ http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~maajjs/aus/nsw/ncl/nclcomps.htm
- ^ Newcastle Morning Herald Microfiche archive, held at Newcastle University
- ^ "Regional and Metro teams to meet in unique 2020 Presidents Cup". 30 June 2020.
- ^ https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7050564/central-coast-clubs-set-to-join-newcastle-rl-in-2021-new-look-presidents-cup-series/?cs=14220/[bare URL]
- ^ "Major premiers blank as Newcastle RL campaign over". 3 September 2021.
- ^ http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=15210
- ^ http://www.cessnockrugbyleague.com.au/
- ^ http://www.southleagues.com.au/
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Club History". cessnockrugbyleague.net.au. Cessnock Rugby League Football Club. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ "Newcastle Rugby League – Team of the Century". Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
External links[]
- 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.
- 1910 establishments in Australia
- Newcastle Knights
- Recurring sporting events established in 1910
- Rugby league competitions in New South Wales
- Rugby league in Newcastle, New South Wales
- Sports leagues established in 1910