1908 Rabbitoh News - Newcastle Rugby League Club Formed Failed

Newcastle District Rugby League Club Formation Failed

8th February 1908

The NSWRL now has 7 clubs affiliated but needs another club to have an even competition. But expansion has started to become difficult. Western Suburbs and North Sydney clubs will be made more of second grade players than first grade players. So, under this context the NSW rugby league headed to Newcastle. All meetings are in fact public votes to form a team for the coming season.

Messrs. H. C. Hoyle, the president, and Mr. J. J. Giltinan, the hon. secretary of the New South Wales Rugby League, addressed a meeting of Rugby players at Pike's rooms on Saturday night, Mr. W. A. Howard occupying the chair. Messrs. Hoyle and Giltinan spoke at considerable length in support of the League, and at the close it was proposed - "That it is desirable to form a Northern District League, and with that object in view those present form themselves into a committee to make arrangements for holding a public meeting." But upon being put to the meeting the motion was not passed.

Rugby Union players identified with the movement have been banned from playing in the Newcastle district.

NSW Country NSW Rugby League approach Responses

18th February 1908

The NSW rugby league sent a circular to a number of country district bodies to join. Offer of 20 per cent of profits for country carnival. The responses were

Central Northern - no intention of breaking away

Central Western - cannot see their way to sever connection

Port Macquarie - letter has been ignored

Bellinger - reviewed the letter but concerned that carnival runs at a loss

Tweed - letter has been ignored

Hartley - did not intend to join

Bega - amused at the potential 20 per cent profit offer

Manning - letter ignored

Northern - no wish to join

As a response to this approach the Metro RU will support a 30 club country championship, where the RU will fund travel costs.

St George District Rugby League Club Formation Failed

28th February 1908

A large number of St. George footballers attended, the Rockdale Town Hall to hear what the prime movers in the formation of the Rugby Football League had to say in connection with the proposed formation of a League Club in St. George. The Mayor of Rockdale, Alderman Taylor, presided. Mr. H. Hoyle. in the course of a long address, referred to the Metropolitan Rugby Union, making its players buy their own uniforms and pay their own expenses wherever they went instead of reimbursing them out of the gate money, which often amounted in suburban matches to two or three hundred pounds. They should be treated the same as the cricketers. The Rugby Union should also pay a proportion of medical expenses to injured players. He mentioned a number of injured players, 'who, he said, had not received sixpence while they were in the hospital. They should get the best medical attendance, and not less than £2 per week for 16 weeks. Mr. W. Munn moved, and Mr. H. Hoyle seconded — 'That a branch of the league be formed, to be named the St. George District League Football Club.' The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Parkes, M.L.A., was elected patron, Alderman- Taylor president, Mr. W. Munn secretary, and Mr. Smallwood treasurer. The chairman said he took the position on the understanding that the club would be formed on its own merits instead of the demerits of other clubs. He then called on the footballers present to come up on the stage and enrol themselves as members of the club, but everybody made for the door, and not one member was enrolled.

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