Sydney University RLFC: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox rugby league club |
{{Infobox rugby league club |
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| clubname = Sydney University |
| clubname = Sydney University |
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| image = |
| image = |
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| fullname = Sydney University Rugby League Football Club |
| fullname = Sydney University Rugby League Football Club |
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| founded = {{start date and age|1920}} |
| founded = {{start date and age|1920}} |
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| exited = {{start date and age|1937}} |
| exited = {{start date and age|1937}} |
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| league = [[New South Wales Rugby Football League]] |
| league = [[New South Wales Rugby Football League]] |
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| season = |
| season = [[1937 NSWRFL season|1937]] |
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| position = 9th of 9 |
| position = 9th of 9 |
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| premierships = Nil |
| premierships = Nil |
||
| runnerups = 1 |
| runnerups = 1 – [[1926 NSWRFL season|1926]] |
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| minorpremierships = Nil |
| minorpremierships = Nil |
||
| spoons = |
| spoons = 10 – [[1921 NSWRFL season|1921]], [[1923 NSWRFL season|1923]], [[1927 NSWRFL season|1927]], [[1929 NSWRFL season|1929]], [[1930 NSWRFL season|1930]], [[1931 NSWRFL season|1931]], [[1934 NSWRFL season|1934]], [[1935 NSWRFL season|1935]], [[1936 NSWRFL season|1936]], [[1937 NSWRFL season|1937]] |
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| win = 42 - 8 vs. [[St. George Dragons|St. George]], July 15, 1933 |
| win = 42 - 8 vs. [[St. George Dragons|St. George]], July 15, 1933 |
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| loss = 0 - 63 vs. [[South Sydney Rabbitohs|Souths]], April 17, 1937 |
| loss = 0 - 63 vs. [[South Sydney Rabbitohs|Souths]], April 17, 1937 |
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| homejersey = University home jersey 1925.svg |
| homejersey = University home jersey 1925.svg |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Sydney |
'''The Sydney University Rugby League Football Club''' is a [[rugby league]] team currently playing in the [[Saturday Metro League]] competition. The [[University of Sydney]] was represented in the [[New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership]] from 1920 to 1937 as '''University''', and also in the [[NSWRL]] '''Second Division''' and '''Metropolitan League''' competitions from 1963 to 1976. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The movement at the [[University of Sydney]] to be involved in the new game of [[rugby league]] began in 1919 with a number of players (including seven University Blues from the 1918 season) viewing a game of the new code and deciding to switch codes. As put by [[Herbert Vere Evatt]] (a final year law student and later a politician, jurist and |
The movement at the [[University of Sydney]] to be involved in the new game of [[rugby league]] began in 1919 with a number of players (including seven University Blues from the 1918 season) viewing a game of the new code and deciding to switch codes. As put by [[Herbert Vere Evatt]] (a final year law student and later a politician, jurist and president of the [[UN General Assembly]]) at the time the reasons were: |
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::"Owing to the general dissatisfaction with the management of the Rugby Union during the 1919 football season, and the fact that University footballers were starting to realise that rugby league was a faster and cleaner game, several leading members of the football club, including seven 'blues' of the past season, took steps to introduce the league game into the University for the 1920 season. A special meeting of league supporters was held and decided to enter three teams, all members to play as strict amateurs."{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} |
::"Owing to the general dissatisfaction with the management of the Rugby Union during the 1919 football season, and the fact that University footballers were starting to realise that rugby league was a faster and cleaner game, several leading members of the football club, including seven 'blues' of the past season, took steps to introduce the league game into the University for the 1920 season. A special meeting of league supporters was held and decided to enter three teams, all members to play as strict amateurs."{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} |
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===Anti-rugby league prejudice=== |
===Anti-rugby league prejudice=== |
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From the very beginning, the Students (or 'Varsity' as they were also known) struggled to gain acceptance by the University Sports Association who displayed great prejudice toward those who had left the rugby union side to play [[rugby league]]. |
From the very beginning, the Students (or 'Varsity' as they were also known) struggled to gain acceptance by the University Sports Association who displayed great prejudice toward those who had left the rugby union side to play [[rugby league]].{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} |
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Indeed, players who participated in [[rugby league]] matches were threatened with disqualification from ever playing rugby union at [[Oxford University]] or [[University of Cambridge]] and the Sports Association forbid the club from training on the University Oval (forcing Varsity to train with [[Sydney Roosters|Eastern Suburbs]] at the Sydney Sports Ground). While public pressure forced the Association to relent, the club never once played a game at the University Oval during its involvement in the [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership]]. |
Indeed, players who participated in [[rugby league]] matches were threatened with disqualification from ever playing rugby union at [[Oxford University]] or [[University of Cambridge]] and the Sports Association forbid the club from training on the University Oval (forcing Varsity to train with [[Sydney Roosters|Eastern Suburbs]] at the Sydney Sports Ground).{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} While public pressure forced the Association to relent, the club never once played a game at the University Oval during its involvement in the [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership]].{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} |
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===1926 Grand Final=== |
===1926 Grand Final=== |
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The highlight of the Students' 18 seasons in the NSWRL Premiership was their one and only finals appearance (having finished fourth in the [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1926|regular season]]). To get to the Grand Final at the [[Sydney Showground (Moore Park)|Sydney Agricultural Ground]] University had to defeat [[Glebe]] which they did comfortably 29 - 3.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222719447|title=University Now in League Premiership Final|newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)]] |location=Sydney |date=5 Sep 1926 |access-date=20 Sep 2020 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia|last= Corbett|first= Claude}}</ref> In the Grand Final, however, they were defeated 5–11 by [[South Sydney Rabbitohs|Souths]] in front of 20,000 people.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222728134|title=South Sydney League Premiers For Sixth Time|newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)]] |location=Sydney |date=19 Sep 1926 |access-date=20 Sep 2020 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia|last= Corbett|first= Claude}}</ref> |
The highlight of the Students' 18 seasons in the NSWRL Premiership was their one and only finals appearance (having finished fourth in the [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1926|regular season]]). To get to the Grand Final at the [[Sydney Showground (Moore Park)|Sydney Agricultural Ground]] University had to defeat [[Glebe (rugby league team)|Glebe]] which they did comfortably 29 - 3.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222719447|title=University Now in League Premiership Final|newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)]] |location=Sydney |date=5 Sep 1926 |access-date=20 Sep 2020 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia|last= Corbett|first= Claude}}</ref> In the Grand Final, however, they were defeated 5–11 by [[South Sydney Rabbitohs|Souths]] in front of 20,000 people.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222728134|title=South Sydney League Premiers For Sixth Time|newspaper=[[The Sun (Sydney)]] |location=Sydney |date=19 Sep 1926 |access-date=20 Sep 2020 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia|last= Corbett|first= Claude}}</ref> |
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===Withdrawal from the Premiership=== |
===Withdrawal from the Premiership=== |
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[[File:Performance Chart NRL UNI.svg|thumb|Chart of yearly table positions for Sydney University in First Grade [[NSWRFL|NSWRL]]]] |
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Generally, the amateur students struggled to perform against the professional players of the other sides and University enjoyed very little success only winning 44 of its 226 games during its time in the Premiership (and only won 2 games after 1933). The club did not win a single match in 1935, continuing a losing streak that started in round 2, 1934 and which would run till round 14, 1936 and which marked the most consecutive losses in NSWRL/NRL premiership history at 42. This run of form, in addition to having spent 12 of its 18 seasons in last place prompted their decision to withdraw from the Premiership at the close of the [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1937|1937 season]]. |
Generally, the amateur students struggled to perform against the professional players of the other sides and University enjoyed very little success only winning 44 of its 226 games during its time in the Premiership (and only won 2 games after 1933). The club did not win a single match in 1935, continuing a losing streak that started in round 2, 1934 and which would run till round 14, 1936 and which marked the most consecutive losses in NSWRL/NRL premiership history at 42. This run of form, in addition to having spent 12 of its 18 seasons in last place prompted their decision to withdraw from the Premiership at the close of the [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1937|1937 season]]. |
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==Life After the Premiership== |
==Life After the Premiership== |
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[[Rugby league]] did not perish at the [[University of Sydney]] and sides representing the |
[[Rugby league]] did not perish at the [[University of Sydney]] and sides representing the university continued to play in various competitions. Most notably, Varsity played in the [[New South Wales Rugby League|NSWRL]] '''Inter-District Competition''', '''Second Division''' and '''Metropolitan League''' (predecessors to the [[NSWRL Jim Beam Cup|Jim Beam Cup]]) between 1964 and 1976, finishing as '''Second Division''' runners-up in 1969 and 1971, both times to the leading side of the day [[Wentworthville Magpies|Wentworthville]]. |
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! Pos !! Byes !! Pts !! P !! W !! L !! D !! For !! Agst !! Diff |
! Pos !! Byes !! Pts !! P !! W !! L !! D !! For !! Agst !! Diff |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1964 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-628589939| access-date=20 September 2020| |
| 1964 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-628589939| access-date=20 September 2020| volume=45| issue=30 (September 5, 1964)}}</ref> || 7 || 0 || 12 || align=left | || 18 || 6 || 12 || 0 || 248 || 277 || style="color:red;" | -29 |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1965 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-757558470| access-date=20 September 2020| |
| 1965 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-757558470| access-date=20 September 2020| volume=46| issue=27 (August 21, 1965)}}</ref> || 9 || 0 || 7 || align=left | || 17 || 3 || 14 || 1 || 177 || 386 || style="color:red;" | -209 |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1966 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-757255341| access-date=20 September 2020| |
| 1966 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-757255341| access-date=20 September 2020| volume=47| issue=29 (July 30, 1966)}}</ref> || 7 || 0 || 4 || align=left | || 14 || 2 || 12 || 0 || 32 || 313 || style="color:red;" | -281 |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1967 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-759505545| access-date=18 September 2020| |
| 1967 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-759505545| access-date=18 September 2020| volume=48| issue=33 (August 19, 1967)}}</ref> || 4 || 0 || 16 || align=left |Semi-Finalist || 15 || 8 || 7 || 0 || 146 || 159 || style="color:red;" | -13 |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1968 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-631305118| access-date=18 September 2020| |
| 1968 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-631305118| access-date=18 September 2020| volume=49| issue=34 (August 17, 1968)}}</ref> || 3 || 2 || 22 || align=left |Semi-Finalist<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-631308462| access-date=20 September 2020| volume=49| issue=35 (August 24, 1968)}}</ref> || 17 || 11 || 6 || 0 || 263 || 163 || 100 |
||
|- |
|- |
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| 1969 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-766710107| access-date=18 September 2020| |
| 1969 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-766710107| access-date=18 September 2020| volume=50| issue=33 (August 23, 1969)}}</ref> || 3 || 0 || 24 || align=left |Grand Finalist || 19 || 14 || 5 || 0 || 213 || 202 || 11 |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1970 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-760360702| access-date=18 September 2020| |
| 1970 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-760360702| access-date=18 September 2020| volume=51| issue=40 (September 5, 1970)}}</ref> || 4 || 2 || 28 || align=left |Semi-Finalist<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-760365776| access-date=20 September 2020| volume=51| issue=42 (September 12, 1970)}}</ref> || 21 || 14 || 7 || 0 || 322 || 248 || 74 |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1971 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-759427765| access-date=18 September 2020| |
| 1971 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-759427765| access-date=18 September 2020| volume=52| issue=37 (September 26, 1971)}}</ref> || 2 || 2 || 35 || align=left |Grand Finalist<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-759482731| access-date=20 September 2020| volume=52| issue=38 (October 1, 1971)}}</ref> || 22 || 18 || 3 || 1 || 578 || 255 || 323 |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1972 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-757661334| access-date=18 September 2020| |
| 1972 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-757661334| access-date=18 September 2020| volume=53| issue=36 (September 16, 1972)}}</ref> || 5 || 2 || 25 || align=left |Play-Off || 21 || 10 || 10 || 1 || 435 || 349 || 86 |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1973 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-790859537| access-date=18 September 2020| issue= |
| 1973 || align=center |Second Division<ref>{{cite journal | author1=New South Wales Rugby Football League. | title=The Rugby League news. | location=Sydney | publisher=N.S.W. Rugby Football League | via=Trove | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-790859537| access-date=18 September 2020| issue=Grand Final Supplement (September 16, 1973)}}</ref> || 9 || 2 || 12 || align=left | || 20 || 4 || 16 || 0 || 202 || 565 || style="color:red;" | -363 |
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|- |
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| 1974 || align=center |Metropolitan Cup || 5 || || 18 || align=left | || 21 || 8 || 11 || 2 || 274 || 324 || style="color:red;" | -50 |
| 1974 || align=center |Metropolitan Cup || 5 || || 18 || align=left | || 21 || 8 || 11 || 2 || 274 || 324 || style="color:red;" | -50 |
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In 1922 the University of Sydney Club presented the league with a shield for use as a trophy in a statewide High School Rugby League knockout competition. The competition became known as the 'University Shield' and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in schoolboy rugby league. |
In 1922 the University of Sydney Club presented the league with a shield for use as a trophy in a statewide High School Rugby League knockout competition. The competition became known as the 'University Shield' and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in schoolboy rugby league. |
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The University Shield has undergone various changes in format since its inception in 1922, the most notable of these having been the exclusion of specialised 'Sports High Schools' which dominated the competition between 1996 |
The University Shield has undergone various changes in format since its inception in 1922, the most notable of these having been the exclusion of specialised 'Sports High Schools' which dominated the competition between 1996 and 2006 in a spirit deemed 'untrue' to the traditional concept of the competition. |
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===Sydney Shield=== |
===Sydney Shield=== |
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In December 2018, it was revealed that University would be competing in the [[Sydney Shield]] competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/draw/?competition=165&season=2019&team=500480/|title=Sydney University Draw|website=www.nswrl.com.au}}</ref> |
In December 2018, it was revealed that University would be competing in the [[Sydney Shield]] competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/draw/?competition=165&season=2019&team=500480/|title=Sydney University Draw|website=www.nswrl.com.au}}</ref> At the end of the 2019 [[Sydney Shield]] season, University finished 10th on the table. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, University were initially meant to compete in the 2021 Sydney Shield but pulled out for financial reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=165/|title=Ron Massey Cup 2019 Ladder|website=NSWRL}}</ref> |
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At the end of the 2019 [[Sydney Shield]] season, University finished 10th on the table. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, University were initially meant to compete in the 2021 Sydney Shield but pulled out for financial reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=165/|title=Ron Massey Cup 2019 Ladder|website=NSWRL}}</ref> |
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==University Shield Honour Board ( |
== University Shield Honour Board (1922–2007) == |
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* [[Hubert Finn|Hubert "Butt" Finn]] |
* [[Hubert Finn|Hubert "Butt" Finn]] |
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* [[ |
* [[John McIntyre (rugby league)|John McIntyre]] |
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* [[A.S. Lane (rugby league)|A.S. Lane]] |
* [[A.S. Lane (rugby league)|A.S. Lane]] |
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* [[Edmund Hanrahan (rugby league)|Edmund "Feather" Hanrahan]] |
* [[Edmund Hanrahan (rugby league)|Edmund "Feather" Hanrahan]] |
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* [[Clive Evatt]] |
* [[Clive Evatt]] |
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* [[Tom Linskey]] |
* [[Tom Linskey]] |
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* [[Tom Barry (rugby league)|Tom Barry]] |
* [[Tom Barry (rugby league, born 1899)|Tom Barry]] |
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* [[Frank O'Rourke (rugby league)|Frank O'Rourke]] |
* [[Frank O'Rourke (rugby league)|Frank O'Rourke]] |
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* [[Ray Morris]] |
* [[Ray Morris]] |
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* [[Ross McKinnon]] |
* [[Ross McKinnon]] |
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* [[Simon Rollin]] |
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* [[Rod O'Loan]] |
* [[Rod O'Loan]] |
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* [[Ernest Ogg]] |
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* [[Jim Dunworth]] |
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==Records== |
==Records== |
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===Club Records=== |
===Club Records=== |
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'''Biggest Win''' |
'''Biggest Win''' |
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*34 points, 42–8 against [[St George Dragons]] at [[Sydney Sports Ground]] on 15 July 1933. |
*34 points, 42–8 against [[St. George Dragons|St. George]] at [[Sydney Sports Ground]] on 15 July 1933. |
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'''Biggest Loss''' |
'''Biggest Loss''' |
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*63 points, 0–63 against [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] at [[Sydney Sports Ground]] on 17 April 1937. |
*63 points, 0–63 against [[South Sydney Rabbitohs|South Sydney]] at [[Sydney Sports Ground]] on 17 April 1937. |
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'''Most Consecutive Wins''' |
'''Most Consecutive Wins''' |
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'''Most Consecutive Loses''' |
'''Most Consecutive Loses''' |
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*42 matches^, 28 April 1934 – 29 August 1936 |
*42 matches^, 28 April 1934 – 29 August 1936 |
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'''Record point scorer''' |
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*[[John McIntyre (rugby league)|John McIntyre]] – 176 points |
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'''Record appearance holder''' |
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*[[Ernest Ogg]] – 118 games |
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^ denotes premiership record |
^ denotes premiership record |
Revision as of 00:23, 11 July 2024
Club information | |
---|---|
Full name | Sydney University Rugby League Football Club |
Gegründet | 1920 |
Exited | 1937 |
Former details | |
Competition | New South Wales Rugby Football League |
1937 | 9th of 9 |
Team colours | |
Records | |
Premierships | Nil |
Runners-up | 1 – 1926 |
Minor premierships | Nil |
Wooden spoons | 10 – 1921, 1923, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 |
The Sydney University Rugby League Football Club is a rugby league team currently playing in the Saturday Metro League competition. The University of Sydney was represented in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership from 1920 to 1937 as University, and also in the NSWRL Second Division and Metropolitan League competitions from 1963 to 1976.
History
The movement at the University of Sydney to be involved in the new game of rugby league began in 1919 with a number of players (including seven University Blues from the 1918 season) viewing a game of the new code and deciding to switch codes. As put by Herbert Vere Evatt (a final year law student and later a politician, jurist and president of the UN General Assembly) at the time the reasons were:
- "Owing to the general dissatisfaction with the management of the Rugby Union during the 1919 football season, and the fact that University footballers were starting to realise that rugby league was a faster and cleaner game, several leading members of the football club, including seven 'blues' of the past season, took steps to introduce the league game into the University for the 1920 season. A special meeting of league supporters was held and decided to enter three teams, all members to play as strict amateurs."[citation needed]
Anti-rugby league prejudice
From the very beginning, the Students (or 'Varsity' as they were also known) struggled to gain acceptance by the University Sports Association who displayed great prejudice toward those who had left the rugby union side to play rugby league.[citation needed]
Indeed, players who participated in rugby league matches were threatened with disqualification from ever playing rugby union at Oxford University or University of Cambridge and the Sports Association forbid the club from training on the University Oval (forcing Varsity to train with Eastern Suburbs at the Sydney Sports Ground).[citation needed] While public pressure forced the Association to relent, the club never once played a game at the University Oval during its involvement in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership.[citation needed]
1926 Grand Final
The highlight of the Students' 18 seasons in the NSWRL Premiership was their one and only finals appearance (having finished fourth in the regular season). To get to the Grand Final at the Sydney Agricultural Ground University had to defeat Glebe which they did comfortably 29 - 3.[1] In the Grand Final, however, they were defeated 5–11 by Souths in front of 20,000 people.[2]
Year | Premiers | Runners-up | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1926 | South Sydney | University | 11–5 |
Withdrawal from the Premiership
Generally, the amateur students struggled to perform against the professional players of the other sides and University enjoyed very little success only winning 44 of its 226 games during its time in the Premiership (and only won 2 games after 1933). The club did not win a single match in 1935, continuing a losing streak that started in round 2, 1934 and which would run till round 14, 1936 and which marked the most consecutive losses in NSWRL/NRL premiership history at 42. This run of form, in addition to having spent 12 of its 18 seasons in last place prompted their decision to withdraw from the Premiership at the close of the 1937 season.
Life After the Premiership
Rugby league did not perish at the University of Sydney and sides representing the university continued to play in various competitions. Most notably, Varsity played in the NSWRL Inter-District Competition, Second Division and Metropolitan League (predecessors to the Jim Beam Cup) between 1964 and 1976, finishing as Second Division runners-up in 1969 and 1971, both times to the leading side of the day Wentworthville.
Year | Premiers | Runners-up | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | Wentworthville Magpies | University | 20–2 |
1971 | Wentworthville Magpies | University | 21–15 |
Year | Competition | Ladder | Finals Position | All Match Record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Byes | Pts | P | W | L | D | For | Agst | Diff | |||
1964 | Second Division[3] | 7 | 0 | 12 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 248 | 277 | -29 | |
1965 | Second Division[4] | 9 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 177 | 386 | -209 | |
1966 | Second Division[5] | 7 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 32 | 313 | -281 | |
1967 | Second Division[6] | 4 | 0 | 16 | Semi-Finalist | 15 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 146 | 159 | -13 |
1968 | Second Division[7] | 3 | 2 | 22 | Semi-Finalist[8] | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 263 | 163 | 100 |
1969 | Second Division[9] | 3 | 0 | 24 | Grand Finalist | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 213 | 202 | 11 |
1970 | Second Division[10] | 4 | 2 | 28 | Semi-Finalist[11] | 21 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 322 | 248 | 74 |
1971 | Second Division[12] | 2 | 2 | 35 | Grand Finalist[13] | 22 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 578 | 255 | 323 |
1972 | Second Division[14] | 5 | 2 | 25 | Play-Off | 21 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 435 | 349 | 86 |
1973 | Second Division[15] | 9 | 2 | 12 | 20 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 202 | 565 | -363 | |
1974 | Metropolitan Cup | 5 | 18 | 21 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 274 | 324 | -50 | ||
1975 | Metropolitan Cup | 3 | 2 | 23 | Finalist | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 498 | 285 | 213 |
1976 | Metropolitan Cup | 5 | 0 | 12 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 256 | 343 | -87 |
Wills Cup
As runners-up in the 1969 Second Division, University (along with Wentworthville) were invited to compete in the NSWRL pre-season competition (the Wills Cup) in 1970.
Despite the inclusion of mature players from other metropolitan University clubs and professional coaches, the sides were too inexperienced and light to compete with the senior club sides. University finished 13th (above last-placed Penrith) in the competition with 1 win from 4 games (their lone win, a close 19–17 victory, came against Wentworthville), with a points differential of -29.
University Shield Competition
In 1922 the University of Sydney Club presented the league with a shield for use as a trophy in a statewide High School Rugby League knockout competition. The competition became known as the 'University Shield' and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in schoolboy rugby league.
The University Shield has undergone various changes in format since its inception in 1922, the most notable of these having been the exclusion of specialised 'Sports High Schools' which dominated the competition between 1996 and 2006 in a spirit deemed 'untrue' to the traditional concept of the competition.
Sydney Shield
In December 2018, it was revealed that University would be competing in the Sydney Shield competition.[16] At the end of the 2019 Sydney Shield season, University finished 10th on the table. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, University were initially meant to compete in the 2021 Sydney Shield but pulled out for financial reasons.[17]
Year | Competition | Ladder | Finals Position | All Match Record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Byes | Pts | P | W | L | D | For | Agst | Diff | |||
2019 | Sydney Shield[18] | 10 | 1 | 11 | 20 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 397 | 744 | -347 | |
2020 | Sydney Shield | K.A. | 0 | 0 | Competition Cancelled[19] | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 24 | -4 |
2020 | Sydney Shield[20] | 7 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 176 | 218 | -42 |
University Shield Honour Board (1922–2007)
Year | Premiers |
---|---|
1922 | Goulburn |
1923 | Goulburn |
1924 | Goulburn |
1925 | Sydney Technical |
1926 | Tamworth |
1927 | Tamworth |
1928 | Tamworth |
1929 | Tamworth |
1930 | Randwick |
1931 | Tamworth |
1932 | Newcastle |
1933 | Cessnock |
1934 | Combined |
1935 | Newcastle |
1936 | Newcastle |
1937 | Cessnock |
1938 | Cessnock |
1939 | Newcastle |
1940 | Newcastle |
1941 | Newcastle |
1942 | Newcastle |
1943 | Newcastle |
1944 | Sydney Technical |
1945 | Sydney Technical |
1946 | Newcastle |
1947 | Maitland |
1948 | Taree |
1949 | Gosford |
1950 | Gosford |
1951 | Gosford |
1952 | Gosford |
1953 | Muswellbrook |
1954 | Newcastle |
1955 | Gosford |
1956 | Newcastle |
1957 | Tamworth |
1958 | Newcastle |
1959 | Newcastle |
1960 | Newcastle |
1961 | Tamworth |
1962 | Newcastle |
1963 | Newcastle Tech |
1964 | Tamworth |
1965 | Tamworth |
1966 | Griffith |
1967 | Orange |
1968 | Orange/Tamworth |
1969 | Tamworth |
1970 | Yanco Ag. |
1971 | Tamworth |
1972 | Yanco Ag. |
1973 | Moree |
1974 | Gosford |
1975 | Tamworth |
1976 | Ashcroft |
1977 | Ashcroft |
1978 | Tamworth |
1978 | Blacktown |
1980 | Chatham |
1981 | Chatham |
1982 | James Cook |
1983 | James Cook |
1984 | Ashcroft |
1985 | Ashcroft |
1986 | Toormina |
1987 | Yanco Ag. |
1988 | Melville |
1989 | James Cook |
1990 | Yanco Ag. |
1991 | Dubbo South |
1992 | Yanco Ag. |
1993 | Kingsgrove |
1994 | Kingsgrove |
1995 | Sarah Redfern |
1996 | Yanco Ag. |
1997 | Camden |
1998 | Westfield Sports |
1999 | Westfield Sports |
2000 | Westfield Sports |
2001 | Westfield Sports |
2002 | Endeavour Sports |
2003 | Farrer Ag. |
2004 | Endeavour Sports |
2005 | Westfield Sports |
2006 | Hunter Sports |
2007 | Junee High School |
Players of Note
Australian Representative
- Ray Morris (1933/34 Kangaroo Tour)
- Jim Craig
New South Wales
- Hubert "Butt" Finn
- John McIntyre
- A.S. Lane
- Edmund "Feather" Hanrahan
- Harleigh Hanrahan
- Clive Evatt
- Tom Linskey
- Tom Barry
- Frank O'Rourke
- Ray Morris
- Ross McKinnon
- Rod O'Loan
- Ernest Ogg
- Jim Dunworth
Records
Club Records
Biggest Win
- 34 points, 42–8 against St. George at Sydney Sports Ground on 15 July 1933.
Biggest Loss
- 63 points, 0–63 against South Sydney at Sydney Sports Ground on 17 April 1937.
Most Consecutive Wins
- 5 matches, 8 May – 19 June 1926
Most Consecutive Loses
- 42 matches^, 28 April 1934 – 29 August 1936
Record point scorer
- John McIntyre – 176 points
Record appearance holder
- Ernest Ogg – 118 games
^ denotes premiership record
Club Honours
Premierships: (0)
Runners-Up: (1) 1926
Minor Premierships: (0)
Wooden Spoons: (10) 1921, 1923, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937
References
- ^ Corbett, Claude (5 September 1926). "University Now in League Premiership Final". The Sun (Sydney). Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 8. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ Corbett, Claude (19 September 1926). "South Sydney League Premiers For Sixth Time". The Sun (Sydney). Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 8. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 45 (30 (September 5, 1964)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 20 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 46 (27 (August 21, 1965)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 20 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 47 (29 (July 30, 1966)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 20 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 48 (33 (August 19, 1967)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 18 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 49 (34 (August 17, 1968)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 18 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 49 (35 (August 24, 1968)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 20 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 50 (33 (August 23, 1969)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 18 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 51 (40 (September 5, 1970)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 18 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 51 (42 (September 12, 1970)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 20 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 52 (37 (September 26, 1971)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 18 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 52 (38 (October 1, 1971)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 20 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news". 53 (36 (September 16, 1972)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 18 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ New South Wales Rugby Football League. "The Rugby League news" (Grand Final Supplement (September 16, 1973)). Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. Retrieved 18 September 2020 – via Trove.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ "Sydney University Draw". www.nswrl.com.au.
- ^ "Ron Massey Cup 2019 Ladder". NSWRL.
- ^ "Sydney Shield 2019 - Ladder". League Unlimited. 1 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "NSWRL cancels nine competitions for 2020 season". NSWRL. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Sydney Shield 2020 - Ladder". League Unlimited. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.