Rugby League

The History of the Illawarra Steelers
Rugby League’s birth in the Illawarra began back in 1910 where at a meeting at the old Terminus Hotel (Near Wollongong Railway station) plans were put in place to organise and run the first competitions.

Seventy years later the Illawarra's Application to be included into the New South Wales Rugby League First Division was granted at a meeting of the league on this 13th December 1980 - The introduction of the Illawarra District RLFC – known as the Illawarra Steelers.

The Illawarra District boasts a proud history and is known as one of the best nursery's in the game and has credit of producing some internationals including Graeme Langlands, Bob Fulton and Craig Young.

The Illawarra Steelers and St George RLFC formed the first of the NRL's joint ventures for the 1999 season. "The St George Illawarra Dragons".

The Illawarra Steelers history is well documented in the book Thirteen Years of Steel by David Middleton.

Click here for more Steelers history, information and to check out "The St George Illawarra Dragons Locker Room".

Steelers is a trading name adopted by the Illawarra District Rugby League Football Club Limited when the Club was formed to play rugby league in the major ARL competition in 1982.

The Steelers played in that competition until 1998, before forming a joint-venture club in 1999 - known as the St George Illawarra Dragons - playing half of their home matches at WIN stadium in Wollongong and half at Oki stadium in Kogarah.

The St George Illawarra Dragons field teams in the NRL and Toyota Cup competitions. The Steelers still field Junior Representative teams in their own right in the SG Ball and Harold Matthews competitions. Dragons Illawarra Rugby League administer all Rugby League competitions played in this district.

The Steelers Licensed Club opened in 1990 and is operated to generate revenue for the propagation and development of Rugby League in the Illawarra Region. It is the Rugby League "headquarters".

Offices of all sections of Rugby League are located on the first floor of the Licensed Club.

The Steelers Board of Directors are elected by the members of the club and administer both the Rugby League and Licensed Club operations by setting policies to be carried out by Management and staff.

The Steelers Club continues to grow as the leading Club to support Rugby League in the Wollongong/Shoalhaven region.

Rugby League Links
Carlton Draught League

St George Illawarra Dragons
CRL | NSWRL

Carlton League Weekly Draw

Graeme Langlands Memorabilia

Graeme “Changa” Langlands started his football career in Wollongong in 1962, before joining St George in 1963. Langlands played 227 first 1st grade games, scoring 1554 club points and won four premierships. At representative level, Langlands played 36 games for NSW and 34 Tests for Australia. He captained Australia from 1970- 1975, which included him being “The Last Captain/Coach” from 1972 to 1975. Graeme Langlands retired in 1976 and has since earned the honour of being named as one of rugby leagues great “Immortals”.

 

The Dragons Partnerships team has a limited number of “The Last Captain/Coach” framed memorabilia pieces signed by Graeme Langlands available for purchase. The memorabilia is a fantastic gift for only $295 incl GST. Each memorabilia piece is individually numbered. Dimension 45cm (h) x 107cm (w).

 

To purchase please email sales@dragons.com.au

Contact Details

Dragons Illawarra RL
Administration Officer

Julie Nicoll
Phone: 02 4225 8299
jnicoll@dragons.com.au