Club History
Coonamble Rugby League Football Club was a foundation club of Group 14 formed in 1950. In the mid 1950’s the Junior’s commenced.
Prior to that, the club played in a Boronia Cup Competition. In 1947, the great Dave Brown (International and Eastsern 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 have 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 and 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 Coonamble Bears. Winning 1st Grade Premierships in 1971, 1974 and 1978, winning Reserve Grade premierships in 1970 and 1975. Outstanding Junior teams winning Premierships in 1971,1972,1973,1974 and 1979.
Winning coaches included George Agalzirri 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 in 1978 Newcastle import, Ken Blackwell coached. Notable players through the years included (1971 team) locals such as Bruce Jackson, Ray Cleary, Mick McIntyre (teacher), Alwyn Shone, Mervyn Smith, and imports Peter Kennedy, his brother Paul Kennedy, (the 1974 team) Kevin McHugh, Geoff and Gubby Thorne, Steven Hall, Noel Ramien, Steven Head and Colin Lane (the 1978 team) Geoff Myers, Dave Limbach, Mark Sullivan, David Day, Whip Mulholland, Peter Burnheim, Nugget Millstead, Rodney Ferguson, Jason King, Steven Head, Greg Maher, Matty Cock, Byron Feagan and many many more.
In the 80's David Jurd arrived to win a premiership in 1982, local boy Steve Fulmer led the way with Brendan Semler, Peter Finn and Graham Newling. Steven Head played in the 1974 side as well as the 1982 side.
The 1990's brought Premierships in 1991, 1996 and 1999. Juniors won Premierships in 1988,1989,1990,1991 and 1992. These teams would form the nucleus of the 1st Grade teams in the later 90's. Robert (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 Boof Smith who started in 1977 in the under 18’s..
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 team’s strapper for years.
Their efforts are appreciated by ALL Bears supporters. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gmaher (talk • contribs) 07:20, 10 August 2009 (UTC)Reply
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