# Rugby league in Sydney

Rugby league in Sydney is the city's most popular sport, with over 200 clubs in the city across levels of competition ranging from the fully professional National Rugby League to grassroots open age and junior leagues.

## History

By the 1890s Rugby football had taken hold in Sydney, thwarting attempts by Victorian rules and soccer to gain the ascendancy. The game continued to grow becoming the most popular code of football in NSW, until the issue of professionalism led to a schism in 1908 and the formation of the New South Wales Rugby Football League. The NSWRU lost many players including the great Dally Messenger to the new sport of rugby league, which became the most popular sport in Sydney by attendance and public interest by World War I.
The NSWRFL premiership was continued on the successful basis of the first competition in 1908. In 1929 Jersey Flegg was appointed to the position of president of the NSWRFL and in 1941 he became chairman of the Australian Rugby League Board of Control. At the time of his death in 1960, aged 82, he was still serving in these roles.
When NSWRFL president Flegg died in 1960, Bill Buckley replaced him and also became boss of the Australian Rugby League, a position he remained in from 1960 until his death in 1973. In 1973 Kevin Humphreys was appointed President of New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) and Chairman of Australian Rugby League (ARL).
In 1983 Humphreys was succeeded in these positions by Ken Arthurson. Under Arthurson the clubs in the NSWRL expanded outside the borders of the state and even the country until in 1994, after administering its 87th consecutive premiership season, the NSWRL was replaced by the Australian Rugby League as club football's peak administrative body.
Notwithstanding the hand over of control of the game at the elite level across Australia to the commission, the NSWRL did retain responsibility for both the administration of the New South Wales rugby league team in State of Origin series, as well as day-to-day management of the state-based New South Wales Cup second-tier premiership, as well as junior representative competitions.
In modern times, the NSWRL has 82,397 (450,000 including variants) participants, the vast majority of which are located in Sydney as the state's main population centre.

## Ron Massey Cup

The Ron Massey Cup (formerly known as the Bundaberg Red Cup and Jim Beam Cup) is a semi-professional development level rugby league competition in New South Wales currently comprising 9 teams drawn from the Sydney metropolitan area.
| Club | Location | Stadium | Premierships | Founded | Joined* |
| Blacktown Workers | Blacktown, New South Wales | H.E. Laybutt Fields | None | 1964 | 2012 |
| Cabramatta Two Blues | Cabramatta, New South Wales | New Era Stadium | 2011 | 1919 | 2004 |
| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | Belmore, New South Wales | Hammondville Oval | None | 1937 | 2023 |
| Glebe Dirty Reds | Glebe, New South Wales | Goddard Park | 2024 | 1908 | 2015 |
| Hills District Bulls | Baulkham Hills, New South Wales | Crestwood Oval | 2022 | 1964 | 2016 |
| Mounties RLFC | Mount Pritchard, New South Wales | Aubrey Keech Reserve | 2015-16 | 1927 | 2007 |
| Penrith Brothers | Penrith, New South Wales | Parker St Reserve | None | 1968 | 2024 |
| Ryde-Eastwood Hawks | Ryde, New South Wales | TG Milner Field | 1972, 1974-76, 1990, 2000 | 1962 | 2003 |
| St Marys Saints | St Marys, New South Wales | St Marys Leagues Stadium | 1993-94, 2001, 2023 | 1908 | 2016 |
| Wentworthville Magpies | Wentworthville, New South Wales | Ringrose Park | 1964-65, 1967-71, 1973, 1998-99, 2009-20, 2012-13, 2017-19 | 1963 | 2003 |

## Sydney Shield

The Sydney Shield is a rugby league football competition played in Sydney, New South Wales. The competition is administered by the New South Wales Rugby League.
| Club | Location | Home Ground | Premierships | Founded | Joined |
| Cabramatta Two Blues | Cabramatta, New South Wales | New Era Stadium | None | 1919 | 2023 |
| Glebe Dirty Reds | Glebe, New South Wales | Wentworth Park | None | 1908 | 2017 |
| Hills District Bulls | Baulkham Hills, New South Wales | Crestwood Oval | 2023 | 1964 | 2012 |
| Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Brookvale, New South Wales | Brookvale Oval | None | 1947 | 2024 |
| Moorebank Rams | Moorebank, New South Wales | Hammondville Oval | None | 1955 | 2017 |
| Mount Pritchard Mounties | Mount Pritchard, New South Wales | Aubrey Keech Reserve | None | 1927 | 2023 |
| Penrith Brothers | Penrith, New South Wales | Parker St Reserve | 2024 | 1968 | 2018 |
| Ryde-Eastwood Hawks | Ryde, New South Wales | TG Milner Field | 2019 | 1962 | 2019 |
| St Marys Saints | St Marys, New South Wales | St Marys Leagues Stadium | 2017, 2022 | 1908 | 2016 |
| Wentworthville United | Wentworthville, New South Wales | Ringrose Park | 2012, 2015 | 1963 | 2012 |

## Macarthur Conference
### First Grade and Reserve Grade

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Premierships | Premiership Years |
| Camden | Rams | Kirkham Park, Elderslie | 10 | 1948, 1951, 1978, 1994, 1997–98, 2000, 2002, 2016, 2022 |
| Campbelltown City | Kangaroos | Fullwood Reserve, Claymore | 11 | 1946, 1949, 1969–71, 1973–75, 1980, 1983, 2017 |
| Campbelltown Collegians JRLFC | Collies | Campbelltown Stadium | 0 | None |
| East Campbelltown | Eagles | Waminda Oval, Campbelltown | 1 | 2012 |
| Mittagong | Lions | Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong | 10 | 1937, 1945, 1959, 1962–64, 1967, 1988, 1991, 1995 |
| Oakdale Workers | Bears | Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval, Oakdale | 2 | 1993, 2011 |
| Narellan Jets | Jets | Narellan Sports Ground, Narellan | 2 | 1996, 2004 |
| Picton | Magpies | Victoria Park, Picton | 13 | 1935, 1966, 1981, 1985–87, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2013–15, 2018 |
| The Oaks | Tigers | Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks | 3 | 1976, 1977, 1992 |
| South West | Goannas | Narellan Sports Ground, Narellan | 0 | None |
| Thirlmere-Tahmoor | Roosters | Thirlmere Sports Ground, Thirlmere | 6 | 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020 |

### Third Grade

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground |
| Campbelltown City | Kangaroos | Fullwood Reserve, Claymore |
| Campbelltown City (2) | Wallabies | Fullwood Reserve, Claymore |
| East Campbelltown | Eagles | Waminda Oval, Campbelltown |
| Mittagong | Lions | Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong |
| Picton | Magpies | Victoria Park, Picton |
| The Oaks | Tigers | Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks |
| Warragamba | Wombats | Warragamba Sportsground |

### Open Age

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground |
| Appin | Dogs | Appin Park |
| Eaglevale St Andrews | Magpies | Benham Reserve |
| Glenquarie | All Stars | Bradbury Oval |
| Liverpool Catholic Club | Raiders | Liverpool Catholic Club Sporting Complex |
| Minto | Cobras | Benham Reserve |
| Mt Annan | Knights | Jack Nash Oval |
| Oran Park-Gregory Hills | Chargers | Wayne Gardner Reserve, Oran Park |
| Warragamba | Wombats | Warragamba Sportsground |

## NSWRL Conference competitions

The NSWRL Conference Competitions are a set of competitions for clubs in the Sydney rugby league districts of Balmain, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cronulla-Sutherland, Manly-Warringah/North Sydney, Parramatta and St. George.

### Metro Open Age Gold

The competition is holding one top grade division in 2023, similar to the now defunct Sydney Combined Competition.
| Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | District |
| Avalon | Bulldogs | Hitchcock Park | Avalon Beach, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Belrose Eagles | Eagles | Lionel Watts Oval | Belrose, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Berowra | Wallabies | Warrina Oval | Berowra, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Cromer | Kingfishers | St Matthews Farm | Cromer, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| East Hills | Bulldogs | East Hills | Castle Hill, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
| Forrestville | Ferrets | Forestville Park | Forestville, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Harbord United | Devils | Harbord Park | Harbord, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Hills District | Bulls | Crestwood Oval | Baulkham Hills, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
| Moorebank | Rams | Hammondville Oval | Moorebank, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
| Narrabeen | Sharks | Lake Park | Narrabeen, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Ryde-Eastwood | Hawks | Lidcombe Oval | Ryde, New South Wales | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| Wentworthville United JRLFC | Magpies | Ringrose Park | Wentworthville, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |

### Central Northern Open Age

The Central Northern Open Age competitions are for clubs in the Sydney rugby league districts of Balmain and Manly-Warringah/North Sydney. The following clubs are participating in Central Northern District competitions in 2023. This competition's Gold division is merged with Central West for 2023 as Metro Open Age Gold (see above).

#### Central Northern Open Age Silver

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | District |
| Asquith | Magpies | Storey Park | Asquith, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Bondi United | United | Bondi | Bondi, New South Wales | South Sydney District RFL |
| Concord-Burwood | Wolves | Wentworth Park | Concord, New South Wales | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| Cromer (2) | Kingfishers | St Matthews Farm | Cromer, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Leichhardt | Tigers | Birchgrove Oval | Leichhardt, New South Wales | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| Leichhardt | Wanderers | N/A | Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| Sydney University | Lions | University Oval | University of Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| TAFE NSW | Polecats | N/A | Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| Willoughby | Roos | Willoughby Park | Willoughby, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |

#### Central Northern Open Age Bronze

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | District |
| Asquith (2) | Magpies | Storey Park | Asquith, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Carlingford Cougars | Cougars | N/A | Carlingford, New South Wales | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| Harbord United | Devils | Harbord Park | Harbord, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Leichhardt (2) | Wanderers | N/A | Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| Macquarie University | Warriors | Macquarie University | Ryde, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Pennant Hills-Cherrybrook | Stags | Greenway Park | Pennant Hills, New South Wales | Manly-Warringah/North Sydney |
| Redfern All Blacks | All Blacks | Pioneers Park | Redfern, New South Wales | South Sydney District RFL |
| Sydney University (2) | Lions | University Oval | University of Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |
| TAFE NSW (2) | Polecats | N/A | Sydney | Balmain District Junior Rugby League |

### Central West Open Age

Central West Open Age is the premier rugby league competition clubs in the Parramatta and Canterbury-Bankstown districts of Sydney. The competition features 12 clubs in 2023, in a single division, with its gold clubs playing in the Metro Gold competition.

#### Central West Open Age Silver

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb | District |
| All-Saints Toongabbie | Tigers | C.V. Kelly Park | Toongabbie, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
| Bankstown Sports | Club | Bankstown Sports Club | Bankstown, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
| Berala | Bears | N/A | Berala, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
| Canley Vale | Kookaburras | Adams Park | Canley Vale, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
| Chester Hill | Hornets | N/A | Chester Hill, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
| Greenacre | Tigers | N/A | Greenacre, New South Wales | Canterbury-Bankstown |
| Guildford | Owls | Mccredie Park | Guildford, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
| Kellyville | Bushrangers | Kellyville Park | Kellyville, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
| Lalor Park | Kookas | Cavanagh Reserve | Lalor Park, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
| Merrylands | Rams | Merrylands Oval | Merrylands, New South Wales | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |
| South West | Sharks | N/A | Sydney | Parramatta Junior Rugby League |

## Parramatta JRL Open Age
### Clubs

| Club | Moniker | Suburb |
| Austral City | Bears | Austral, New South Wales |
| Baulkham Hills | Brumbies | Baulkham Hills, New South Wales |
| Hurricanes | Hurricanes | Sydney |
| OLQP | Bulldogs | Sydney |
| South West | Sharks | Sydney |
| Winston Hills (1) | Hawks | Winston Hills, New South Wales |
| Winston Hills (2) | Hawks | Winston Hills, New South Wales |

## Penrith District Rugby League
### Division 1

| Club | Moniker | Suburb |
| Colyton | Colts | Colyton, New South Wales |
| Cambridge Park | Panthers | Cambridge Park, New South Wales |
| Emu Plains | Emus | Emu Plains, New South Wales |
| Glenmore Park | Broncos | Glenmore Park, New South Wales |
| Minchinbury Jets | Magpies | Minchinbury, New South Wales |
| North West | Magpies | Richmond, New South Wales |
| Penrith Brothers | Brothers | Penrith, New South Wales |
| St Clair | Comets | St Clair, New South Wales |
| St Mary's Saints | Saints | St Marys, New South Wales |
| St Patricks | Saints | The Ponds, New South Wales |
| Windsor | Wolves | Windsor, New South Wales |

### Division 2

| Club | Moniker | Suburb |
| Doonside | Roos | Doonside, New South Wales |
| Hawkesbury | Hawks | Hawkesbury, New South Wales |
| Lower Mountains | Mounties | Penrith, New South Wales |
| Riverstone | Razorbacks | Riverstone, New South Wales |
| Quakers Hill | Quakers | Quakers Hill, New South Wales |
| Western City | Tigers | Penrith, New South Wales |

### Division 3

| Club | Moniker | Suburb |
| Colyton | Colts | Colyton, New South Wales |
| Cambridge Park | Panthers | Cambridge Park, New South Wales |
| Doonside | Roos | Doonside, New South Wales |
| Emu Plains | Emus | Emu Plains, New South Wales |
| St Clair | Comets | St Clair, New South Wales |
| St Patricks | Saints | The Ponds, New South Wales |
| Windsor | Wolves | Windsor, New South Wales |

## Southern Open Age

Southern Open Age is the premier rugby league competition clubs in the Cronulla-Sutherland and St. George districts of Sydney. The competition features 12 clubs in 2023, across two divisions, Gold (First Grade) and Silver (Second Grade).

### Southern Open Age Gold

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb |
| Como-Jannali | Crocodiles | Scylla Bay Oval | Como, New South Wales |
| De La Salle Caringbah | Saints | Captain Cook Oval | Caringbah, New South Wales |
| Engadine | Dragons | ANZAC Oval | Engadine, New South Wales |
| Gymea | Gorillas | Corea Oval | Gymea, New South Wales |
| Kogarah | Cougars | Todd Park | Kogarah, New South Wales |
| St John Bosco | Bulldogs | Boystown Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
| St Joseph's | Kangaroos | Kareela Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |

### Southern Open Age Silver A

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb |
| Como-Jannali | Crocodiles | Scylla Bay Oval | Como, New South Wales |
| De La Salle Caringbah | Saints | Captain Cook Oval | Caringbah, New South Wales |
| Gymea | Gorillas | Corea Oval | Gymea, New South Wales |
| Renown United | United | Renown Park | Sydney, New South Wales |
| St John Bosco | Bulldogs | Boystown Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
| St Joseph's | Kangaroos | Kareela Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
| Taren Point | Titans | Gwawley Oval | Taren Point, New South Wales |

### Southern Open Age Silver B

| Club | Moniker | Home Ground | Suburb |
| Aquinas | Colts | Blaxland Oval | Sutherland, New South Wales |
| Cronulla-Caringbah | Sharks | Cronulla High School | Cronulla, New South Wales |
| Engadine | Dragons | ANZAC Oval | Engadine, New South Wales |
| Kingsgrove | Colts | Beverley Hills Park | Kingsgrove, New South Wales |
| Riverwood Legion Club | Riverwood | Riverwood Park | Sutherland, New South Wales |

## South Sydney District Rugby League
### A Grade

| Club | Moniker | Suburb |
| Coogee | Dolphins | Coogee, New South Wales |
| La Perouse United | Panthers | La Perouse, New South Wales |
| Mascot Juniors | Jets | Mascot, New South Wales |
| Matraville | Tigers | Matraville, New South Wales |
| Redfern All Blacks | All Blacks | Redfern, New South Wales |
| South Eastern | Seagulls | Malabar, New South Wales |

### A Reserve

| Club | Moniker | Suburb |
| Alexandria Rovers | Rovers | Alexandria, New South Wales |
| Coogee | Dolphins | Coogee, New South Wales |
| La Perouse United | Panthers | La Perouse, New South Wales |
| Mascot Juniors | Jets | Mascot, New South Wales |
| Marrickville RSL | Kings | Marrickville, New South Wales |
| Matraville | Tigers | Matraville, New South Wales |
| Moore Park | Broncos | Moore Park, New South Wales |
| Redfern All Blacks | All Blacks | Redfern, New South Wales |
| South Eastern | Seagulls | Malabar, New South Wales |

## Junior Comepetitions

There are currently ten junior rugby league competitions in Sydney. These are:
* Balmain District Junior Rugby League
* Canterbury-Bankstown JRL
* Cronulla-Sutherland District JRL
* Manly-Warringah/North Sydney District JRL
* Parramatta Junior Rugby League
* Penrith District Junior Rugby League
* South Sydney District Junior Rugby Football League
* St. George JRL
* Sydney Roosters Juniors
* Wests Tigers Macarthur DJRL