Illawarra Division Rugby League

Illawarra Rugby League has concluded successful Centenary Celebrations. Now the focus turns to ensuring the district’s Junior Rugby League is supported in the future.Surplus funds from the centenary campaign will be dedicated to establish a CENTURIONS CLUB, to ensure Illawarra remains the “Nursery of Champions"

It saddens me to have to yet again remind everyone that your entry (and by “your” I mean everyone from the ball boy to the spectator) to any ground whether fenced or not, is on condition that you abide by the National Code of Conduct. There have been far too many incidences of late where spectators think they have the right to abuse all and sundry, players think that they can take matters into their own hands on and off the field and on-field staff can abuse referees while running past them.

Last week’s results were not what we had hoped but the game was a really tough encounter that personified the tradition of rivalry between the “two steel cities”. Newcastle robbed us of a win in our Centenary Year but as was pointed out to me after the game, Illawarra did the same to Newcastle - so I guess we are even.

Young 9 year old Callum Bourke from St Pius Titans was recently awarded an AAMI CRL grant during week 6 of the program for his outstanding contribution to his club.  The Titans nominated Callum for his unwavering enthusiasm for Rugby League and his club despite it being one of the smallest in the Illawarra.

On Saturday the CRL Under 13 and 14 Cluster Championships will be played at Ziems Park. This competition is the start of the representative season for our junior players, some of them for the first time. Games kick off at 11.0oam and will conclude at 4.00pm and the Illawarra will compete against teams from Group 7; Group 6 and Group 16.

Representative honours continue for the Illawarra / South Coast with four of our Steelers Harold Matthews players selected for the NSW U/16 squad to play Queensland at Suncorp Stadium prior to State of Origin 1. Dylan Russell, Dee Jay Harris, Drew Hutchison and Jack Bird have capped a very successful Junior Representative season with their selections.

The Illawarra has had a great week with higher Representative Honours coming our way. Firstly, Brad Simms from the Wests Illawarra club has been selected; along with his Redback team mate Dean Britt (Camden), in the CRL Under 18’s who will take on Queensland in Coonabarabran on 9 July 2011.

Don’t forget to search those sheds and boxes for all the old history of the Illawarra Rugby League that has been stored for years. We need to consider everything and anything to make the exhibition at the Wollongong City Gallery the success it should be. Even Nan’s old tea cozy in club colours is needed.

To commemorate the Illawarra’s centenary of Rugby League, the Steelers, in conjunction with the Illawarra Rugby League, has developed a low entry point for local community businesses and supporters to ensure the Illawarra remains the Nursery of Champions.

11 February brought together many stalwarts of the Illawarra Rugby League who exchanged memories and caught up with those they hadn’t seen for a long time. 

Are you a leader in sport? A coach? Or involved in Administration? The Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women program is now open. The grants provide funding and support for women to seek accredited training and education.

The Greater Southern Region U/18 Redbacks representative team travels to Bahthurst this Saturday for the first of their official trials.

The 2011 season kicks off on April 2, 2011. For all the latest updates regarding  venues cancellations and other important information. SMS steelers to 19922767 - messages cost 55c

The St George Illawarra Dragons Football Management and the Illawarra Rugby League Board of Management have determined a policy that will see surplus contracted Dragons players participate in the Illawarra Carlton League throughout the 2011 season.

The first of the Illawarra’s centenary of Rugby League events kicks off this Sunday, 6 March with the

The Illawarra Rugby League has taken further steps to ensure the safety and proper guidance of young players throughout the Region to be more in tune with current community expectations.