The Final Winter - History of the Game

A History of the Newtown Jets

Newtown Rugby League Football Club was formed on January 8, 1908, at an overflow public meeting in the Newtown Town Hall. The meeting had been convened by the prominent Sydney sportsman James J. Giltinan (after whom the NSW Rugby League Premiership shield is named), Labor MP Henry Hoyle, and Harry Hammill (who was to be the fledgling club's first captain).

From the very beginning, Newtown became noted for its gritty, never-say-die spirit, and the ability to make the best of limited financial resources. Located in a rock-solid working class district, Newtown was seen as the definitive battlers' team, and one associated with the best fighting qualities inherent in the Australian character.

A Brief History Of League

Rugby league football was first played in Australia in 1908, after working-class rugby union players, dissatisfied with the restrictive old English game, struck out and forged the young nation's first professional football code.

Within barely three seasons, the 13-man form of rugby became the favourite winter sport of NSW and Queensland – a position rugby league continues to hold today.

For now on a century, the clubs, such as the Jets, have been the heart-and-soul of the game, with tribal loyalties feeding the veracious rivalries that drive the footballers and fans alike into their weekend winter battles. Winning the season’s premiership is all that matters.

Rugby league footballers have traditionally enthralled spectators with a combination of raw bone-breaking toughness, together with exhilarating movement of the ball from man-to-man.

Unlike in most of other sports, rugby league footballers are given free reign on the field to make the game their own in the pursuit of victory, whether via individual moments of brilliance, or in combination with their team mates.

Like the gladiators of ancient Rome, those that succeed are glorified as legends for evermore.

This text appears compliments of Sean Fagan – rugby league historian and author of Pioneers of Rugby League and The Master: The Life and Times of Dally Messenger. Visit www.RL1908.com for more info.

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