Coonamble RLFC Club History

Coonamble Rugby League Football Club was a foundation club of Group 14 formed in 1950 with the Juniors starting mid 1950's. Prior to that, the club played in a Boronia Cup Competition.
In 1947, the great Dave Brown (International and Eastern Suburbs player) was the playing coach.
During those early years, Coonamble became and still is regarded as the leading club within the Group 14 Competition. Throughout the years there has been notable winning sides and many great players. Players such as:
Ian Johnston - Australian Representative,
Ron Boden - Australian Representative,
Keith McDonald - Ex Eastern Suburbs,
Jack McLean - Ex North Sydney
Ray Hyde, (Ex Eastern Suburbs) who coached the 1957,58,59 premiership sides, which included winning the Clayton Cup in 1958.
Although the Sixties were quiet for 1st Grade, Coonamble won a few Reserve Grade and Juniors Premierships. Earl Harrison played in the early 1960's, later playing in a Kangaroo tour in 1963.
Notable players during the '60's were Trevor Cook, Mervyn (Sooty) Smith and Graeme (Tumbler) Edwards.
The 1970's brought a resurgence of the mighty Bears.
Winning 1st Grade Premierships in 1971,1974 and 1978,
Reserve Grade premierships in 1970 and 1975.
Outstanding Juniors winning in 1971,72,73,74 and 79.
Winning coaches included George Agalzirri (1971) with players including Peter Kennedy, who would play for Country when they beat City in 1975 (now folk lore that Michael Cronin was picked ahead of him in the State and Australian side).
In 1974, local junior Frank Fish was coach and 1978 Newcastle import, Ken Blackwell coached.
Notable players through the years included (1971 team) locals such as Bruce Jackson, Ray Cleary, Mick McIntyre (teacher at Coonamble High School),Frank Fish, Barry Smith, Gordon Hunt, Alwyn Shone as well as Mervyn "Sooty" Smith,
(1974 team) Kevin McHugh, Geoff and Gubby Thorne, Steven Hall, Noel Ramien, Steven Head (who also played in the 1978 team,
(1978 team) Geoff Myers, Dave Limbach, Mark Sullivan, David Day, Whip Mulholland, Peter Burnheim, Noel Millstead, Mathew Cock, Greg Maher (the writer), Rodney Ferguson, Jason King, Byron Feagan, and many many more.
In the 1980's David Jurd arrived to win a premiership in 1982, local boy Steve Fulmer lead the way with Brendan Semler, Peter Finn and Graham Newling. Steven Head played in the 1974 side as well as the 1982 side but missed out on the 1978 Grand Final due to a suspension.
The 1990's brought Premierships in 1991,1996 and 1999. The Juniors won Premierships in 1988,89,90,91,92. These teams would form the nucleus of the 1st Grade teams in the later 1990's. Whiskey Andriske coached in 1991, David Dunn in 1996 when all three grades won. Greg Hughes coached in 1999. Players over those years included Brian Mulholland, Brad Nelson, Scott Edwards, Doods Canham and not forgetting Graham "Boof" Smith who started playing for the club in Under 18's in 1977.
Group 14 competition folded in 2000 and the Castlereagh Cup competition was formed. Coonamble still supplied teams to play Rugby League and have won every year except one since the Cup's inception.
Notable long serving Bear players and committee members include Joe Evans who has been involved with the club as a player and committee man for over 40 years, others include the late Jeff Single, Gary Dickinson, Don Handebo, Joe Bellgardt and many more. Other support was given by Bubby Smith who was the teams strapper for years.
Their efforts are appreciated by ALL Bears supporters.

Since 2001 Coonamble Rugby League players have participated in the Castlereagh Cup and as the records below shows they have again been a formidable side winning 5 competitions in a row.

Group 14 Premierships
1st Grade
1957 - Capt/Coach - Ray Hyde
1958 - Capt/Coach - Ray Hyde (Clayton Cup winners)
1959 - Capt/Coach - Ray Hyde
1971 - Capt/Coach - George Algozeri defeated Coonabarabran 31-8
1974 - Capt/Coach - Frank Fish defeated Coonabarabran
1978 - Capt/Coach - Ken Blackwell defeated Coonabarabran 13-10
1982 - Capt/Coach - David Jurd
1991 - Coach - Whisky Andriske
1996 - Capt/Coach - David Dunn
1999 - Capt/Coach - Greg Hughes
Castlereagh Cup Premiership History
Grand Final results
• 2001 Gilgandra 36 def Coonamble 4
• 2002 Coonamble 36 def Dunedoo 26
• 2003 Coonamble 70 def Baradine 24
• 2004 Binnaway 32 def Gulargambone 26
• 2005 Coonamble def Binnaway
• 2006 Coonamble 44 def Warren 22
• 2007 Coonamble 36 def Baradine 16
• 2008 Coonamble 40 def Baradine 32
* 2009 Coonamble 32 def Gilgandra 26

Greg Maher (1978 team)