Illawarra to NSW Cuo 2012

[Joker's Wild]

Fair enough, only passed by a few times, dads old work was down the road.

The Steelers Club was probably the biggest mistake of the Illawarra Steelers, should've gone through an established club (of which there were a few big ones already) rather than create a new one which has never done any business because people were already affiliated with their own clubs.

Yep, it has become a bit of a white elephant really. With there already being plenty of clubs in the city region (Diggers, Master Builders, Collies, Illawarra Leaguies) adding in a new one for the sake of it was a mistake.

 

[billy2]

Don't know how they can call this 'unique' - seems to be a carbon copy of what Newcastle has done with the Centurions for 2 years, and are now dumping to go back to a Knights team and squad.
The Centurions were funded by Wyong Roos Leagues Club and used contracted Knights players and local players to fill the gaps. Same thing as far as I can see.

 

[Joker's Wild]

billy, this is essentially a 3 way partnership between the Illawarra Leagues Club, the Illawarra Steelers and the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Oh and I was under the impression the CRL kicked in some funding for the Centurions too

 

[natheel]

Good news for Illawarra rugby league.

 

[billy2]

billy, this is essentially a 3 way partnership between the Illawarra Leagues Club, the Illawarra Steelers and the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Oh and I was under the impression the CRL kicked in some funding for the Centurions too

I don't care how you wrap it up - it's the Dragons reserves and Illawarra players combining to make up a side - exactly the same deal as the Centurions with Knights reserves and Newcastle comp boys.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Oh and I was under the impression the CRL kicked in some funding for the Centurions too

I understood that the funding from the CRL for the Centurions was based primarily on keeping North Sydney out of the Central Coast. Correct me if I am wrong though.

 

[Bro Bear]

Yes the CRL supported and financed the Centurions; however, the CRL now supports the CC Bears bid. Don't know what avenue Newcastle will be going down for its NSW Cup team - Port Macquarie area maybe?

Anyway, lets hope the moniker for the Illawarra team will be the Steelers.

 

[Bluebags1908]

I know that this new Illawarra team is not being financed in its entirety by the Steelers, but given the history, connection with the local fans & community, and brand name the Steelers bring if they don't call the team Steelers the officials in questions should be taken out the back and shot.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Yes the CRL supported and financed the Centurions; however, the CRL now supports the CC Bears bid. Don't know what avenue Newcastle will be going down for its NSW Cup team - Port Macquarie area maybe?

Anyway, lets hope the moniker for the Illawarra team will be the Steelers.

Newcastle is going to field a "Newcastle Knights" team in the NSW cup in 2012

 

[Joker's Wild]

I don't care how you wrap it up - it's the Dragons reserves and Illawarra players combining to make up a side - exactly the same deal as the Centurions with Knights reserves and Newcastle comp boys.

Well the article was refering to the partnership arrangement being unique, not the make up of the side

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I know that this new Illawarra team is not being financed in its entirety by the Steelers, but given the history, connection with the local fans & community, and brand name the Steelers bring if they don't call the team Steelers the officials in questions should be taken out the back and shot.

I think that's a bit harsh, particularly since the Illawarra Leagues Club (as the local Illawarra representative team) has more history and connection to the local community than the Steelers ever did.

 

[mightybears]

I understood that the funding from the CRL for the Centurions was based primarily on keeping North Sydney out of the Central Coast. Correct me if I am wrong though.

you're not wrong.

 

[dangerousdave]

What level of facilities are needed to play in the NSW Cup?

Would love to see games in future seasons taken to various grounds in the Illawarra. Dapto, Thirroul, Shellharbour, etc.

Newcastle could do the same in the Hunter

 

[Gibbo]

If the QLD cup is any comparison then some sort of small stand and ok shed is probably the only criteria. As much as I'd love games to be played at Gibson park I think Dapto showground is probably the only Carlton league ground they'd take games to. In Newcastle I imagine the Cessnock ground would be well up to scratch with it's stand.

 

[watatank]

Ron Costello Oval

 

[Fingerbang]

Only one problem with Dapto Showground.....it runs east-west. Prick of a ground to play at for that reason.

 

[drago brelli]

No, leave them at WIN 2. Does anybody know when their next match is? I only hope they can last in the comp for more than a couple of years. Illawarra Leagues must stay with them long term as should O'Connor and Fitzgerald realestate businesses.

 

[billy2]

What level of facilities are needed to play in the NSW Cup?

Would love to see games in future seasons taken to various grounds in the Illawarra. Dapto, Thirroul, Shellharbour, etc.

Newcastle could do the same in the Hunter

I've watched the Centurions play on many of the home grounds of Newcastle RL sides - they played most of their games at Morrie Breen Oval, home of the Wyong Roos, but never had a crowd over about 300, mostly opposition fans usually.
I've seen them play at Lyle Peacock oval, home of the Macquarie Scorpions, with a crowd of maybe 500.
I've seen them play at St John oval, home of central Charlestown, with a decent crowd of maybe 1000.
I've seen them play at harker Oval, home of Wests Rosellas, with a crowd of me and Nathan Tinkler and 3 other guys.
I've seen them play at Cessnock Oval, home of the Cessnock Goannas, with a crowd of about 2000, but they mostly went to see the junior games that were on as well.

This year the Knights have decided to play all their NSW cup home games at Ausgrid and have decided to try to build a following at the one ground.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

http://www.dragons.com.au/default.a...y-league-announces-illawarra-coal-partnership

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

The Illawarra Reserve Grade team is to be called the "Cutters"

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...am-cuts-close-to-mining-heritage/2448277.aspx

After months of deliberation, the region’s newly launched NSW Cup team will be officially known as the Illawarra Cutters, officials confirmed this morning.
Featuring the striking scarlet and white colour scheme of the Illawarra Steelers team, the Cutters name originated from the region’s close links with the coal industry, chairman Sean O’Connor said.

‘‘The name Cutters refers to coal-cutters or coal-hewers, men who perform well under extreme conditions, a perfect analogy with the modern rugby league player,’’ O’Connor explained.

In a further boost for the new outfit, Illawarra Credit Union has committed to a three-year sleeve sponsorship deal, while LX Electrical will adorn the shorts.

The Illawarra Cutters play their first game on March 3 against Cronulla at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium.