Rabbitohs Centenary Events
17th December 2007
A number of centenary events have been scheduled for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2008
Redfern Town Hall - 17 January 2008
Past greats, key South Sydney personnel and distinguished guests will be attending Redfern Town Hall on Thursday 17 January 2008 to honour the meeting that took place 100 years ago to the day. Attendees of the 1908 meeting were there to hear the proposal by Giltinan, Hoyle and Trumper on a new radical competition of Northern Rules being started. The 2008 meeting will pay homage to the players and creators of Rugby League, with some keynote speeches, a small exhibition of 1908 memorabilia and a video presentation delivered by the 2008 squad paying their respects to their predecessors of the 1908 team.
NRL Centenary Fan Day - 2nd Feb 2008
The Centenary celebrations will kickoff with a huge public fan day featuring all 16 NRL clubs and 400 NRL players at Telstra Stadium. Rugby League fans of all ages can take part in a host of activities, including ARL skills clinics, autograph signings and kicking competitions in what is certain to be the biggest public fan event in the game's history.
Centenary Season Launch - Thu 6th March 2008
The NRL will host the official launch of the Telstra Premiership in Sydney at Birchgrove Oval, highlighting Rugby League's heritage and commemorating the start of the game's Centenary season.
NSW Referees Association Centenary anniversay celebratiions - Thu 13th March 2008
A celebration of the history of the Referees Association and their contribution to the development of Rugby League.
Centenary Season Kickoff - 14th March 2008
Foundation clubs South Sydney and arch rivals Sydney Roosters(Eastern Suburbs) kickoff at Telstra Stadium.
The National Museum of Australia Exhibtion Opens - 7th March 2008
Official opening of the National Museum of Australia exhibition in Canberra, featuring the extraordinary stock of rugby league historical material.
ARL Hall of Fame Ball - 16th April 2008
The pinnacle event of the rugby league calendar will be held in Sydney on the eve of the anniversary of the Premiership?s first round. A highlight of the evening will be the naming of the official Australian Team of the Century.
Centenary Heritage Round - 20th April 2008
One hundred years since those gallant pioneers first lined up for their teams in the Premiership, the NRL will schedule a "Heritage Round", with NRL clubs scheduled to play against each other on the basis of the eras they first entered the competition. Each team will play in heritage jerseys honoring their own club's proud history. Celebrating 100 years to the day, that Rugby League season started in 1908. Arch rivals South Sydney and Wests-Tigers(representing the original Balmain and Western Suburbs teams) will play at the SCG. With the day commencing with a match at Birchgrove Oval between Balmain and Westsern Suburbs.
NSW Country team of the century named - 30th April 2008
Centenary Test Australia v New Zealand - Sydney Cricket Ground - 9th May 2008
NSW Team of the Century - 21st May 2008
Anniversary of the first ever Test between Australia and New Zealand in 1908
For State of Origin Game One at Telstra Stadium both teams will wear 1908 heritage jerseys. The NSW Team of the Century will be presented to the crowd.
Interstate Centenary Gala Event Brisbane - 10th June 2008
A gala event will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre to mark a century of interstate Rugby League between Queensland and NSW, with the Queensland Team of the Century announced.
Premiership Final Centenary - Fri 29th Aug 2008
Anniversary of the first ever Premiership Final in 1908 - Easts v Souths. One of the great rivalries in Australian sport will be reignited during Round 25 as the Roosters and Rabbitohs battle it out in honour of the first Premiership final 100 years ago. Also in honour of our 1999 and 2000 "Reclaim the Game" marches, South Sydney Rabbitohs Members and fans will be marching again, this time to the Sydney Football Stadium for the 1908 Grand Final replay between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters. This once in a lifetime opportunity to relive a part of our great history will start at our spiritual home of Redfern Oval in Chalmers street, marching all the way to the SFS. To help commemorate this historic event, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have put together a special Centenary package. This will contain a ticket in a specially allocated area, Rabbitohs armband and commemorative limited edition, minted, numbered medallion (that can only be obtained by purchasing a march ticket).
Centenary Rugby League World Cup - October/November 2008
The Centenary World Cup Final to be played at Suncorp Stadium. Ten nations will compete in the crowning moment of the Centenary Year. The World Cup will be the first on Australian soil since 1977.
Centenary Test - Australia v England - 2nd November 2008
100 years of Australia v England Lunch on Wednesday followed match athe Telstra Dome in Melbourne
Return To Redfern Park - October 2008
This community festival will be the grand opening of our new precinct with an array of food, entertainment and all things South Sydney. Come and help us finish our Centenary in style.
Centenary Plaque Unveilings
Throughout 2008, key venues within the Rabbitohs rich history will be recognised by Centenary Plaques, all which will be unveiled as part of an event.
Centenary Time Capsule
As part of our Centenary year the we are giving you the opportunity to have you or your family indelibly connected to the Club for life. We will be endeavouring to have a special 2008 time capsule located at the entrance of Redfern Oval. You will be able to purchase a space to be forever in South Sydney's history. It will be opened for our 150th anniversary where all descendants or existing persons will be contacted for our celebrations. Leave a note for your son or daughter or a small personal item. All participants will be given a Certificate of Authenticity and listed at the site. This is your chance to have generations connect with our Club in the future before they are even born.
Affiliate Club North Sydney Centenary Events
The supreme survivors of Rugby League - the North Sydney Bears, will involve both its local community and the wider North Sydney fan base in it's Centenary Year Celebrations. The Bears are also turning 100! A Centenary Committee has been formed which includes the author of "The Mighty Bears" Andrew Moore, and North Sydney Legend Greg Florimo as well as local council and junior football representatives. The Committee has announced a schedule of events that will include the unveiling of 3 historic plaques and a unique open day at North Sydney Oval, to celebrate 100 years of Rugby League on the North Shore.
Event Outline