The Illawarra Rugby League is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 season, highlighted by the re-entry to the Major Competitions tier of the NSWRL, with six teams competing in the Harrigan Cup and impressive participation rates in junior grades.
“Our growth strategy focuses on increasing player numbers, enhancing local junior representation, and improving facilities,” said John Brannon, IRL Board of Management Chairman.
This season there are over 4,655 registered players, including 2,908 males and 1,747 females, participating in 159 Junior Rugby League teams, 74 Junior League Tag teams, and 43 Senior teams.
“Our participation rates are strong, and our results are impressive; three of our four Steelers Junior Representative sides made the finals this year, and we won the U19 Tarsha Gale and Harvey Norman Women’s competitions last year.”
“Our local competitions are the kick off point for many of these players who proceed to the elite levels of the game.”
The Harrigan Motor Group is once again the senior competitions’ naming rights partner, while the junior competitions now have a new naming rights partner: Coal Australia.
“We are grateful to our partners, especially Harrigan Motor Group for their ongoing support of our senior competitions and new junior league naming rights sponsor Coal Australia for backing our local community and investing in the next generation, on and off the field.”
The season launch took place at the Collegians Sporting Complex on Thursday evening, 24 April, coinciding with the season opener between the defending premiers, Wests, and Collegians in the Harrigan Cup.
Attendees included Alison Byrnes MP, the Federal Member for Cunningham; Dave Trodden, CEO of NSWRL; Graeme Gulloch, Chairman of the Illawarra District Rugby League; as well as Steelers Board Members and various members of the Illawarra rugby league community including senior and junior players, referees, and volunteers.