Corrimal Cougars
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The Corrimal Cougars are an Australian
rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...
football team based in
Corrimal Corrimal is a northern suburb of the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Corrimal's CBD is situated on the Princes Highway, and several streets adjacent to it. The main shopping centres are Lederer Corrimal and Corrimal Park Mall ne ...
, a country town of the
Illawarra The Illawarra is a coastal region in the Australian state of New South Wales, nestled between the mountains and the sea. It is situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the South Coast region. It encompasses the two cities of Wollongo ...
region. The club are a part of
Country Rugby League The Country Rugby League of New South Wales (CRL), formed in 1934 and disbanded in 2019, was the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in areas of New South Wales outside the Sydney metropolitan area until it merged with NSW Rug ...
and has competed in the
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
premiership since 1912.


History, Colours and Emblem

The Corrimal Cougars were established in 1912 with the help from local miners. Traditionally the club has a working class history that has overcome many obstacles to provide an opportunity for local children and adults to enjoy Rugby League. The Corrimal team is represented by a Cougar, and their emblem displays this creature in front of a red background in the shape of football. The name "Cougars" was chosen following a competition involving local school children. Robyn Fletcher of East Corrimal Public School was the winner. Underneath the name is the inscription "Est. 1912". Their colours are Green and Red. The Cougars play out of Ziems Park, Corrimal.


Ziems Park

Ziems park was officially opened as the home ground of the Corrimal Cougars Rugby League Club on Saturday 14 April 1934. With Corrimal defeating Thirroul 5–0 for the Grant Gup, the Grant Cup was donated by Corrimal Hotel publican John Grant for the occasion. The Ziems family originally own the land and used it as an abattoir for their local butcher shop but in the early 1930 Arthur Ziems, spoke to members of his family about donating the land to the rugby league club. The family agreed on condition that the club fence of the land to be used for rugby league. In 1970 the ground underwent major improvements including the banks around the main oval with the help of the South Bulli Mine's community relation project to become regarded as one of the best grounds in the Illawarra district.


Premierships

The Corrimal Cougars have won two First Grade Premierships (1948, 1974) 1948 – A Season to Remember Winning the first grade premiership in 1948, really established the Cougars as a powerful and successful part of the
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
. They had come close in past seasons, but this was the icing on the cake. Many new players joined the ’Red and Green’ at the beginning of the season. These included Ron Street from Warren, Jack Clare from Balmain and Harry Jardine from Wests. Bill ‘Dookie’ Burns was named First grade coach. After a slow start the season two more important signing were completed before the third round, these players were Centre/Winger Arthur Clifford from Newtown and goal Kicking fullback Frank Bonner from South Sydney. Bonner had played 24 first grade games for the Bunnies in three seasons and Clifford had scored 5 tries in 6 top grade matches with the Jets. At the end of the season the Cougars had played 18 matches, won 11, drew 1 and lost 6 including winning the fourth place playoff (10–4 v Thirroul), Semi-final (11–4 v Wollongong), Final (17–2 v Port Kembla) and Grand Final (22–7 v Port Kembla) in an amazing run to the Premiership from fifth place. The Corrimal Cougars Grand Final Team was 1. Frank Booner 2. Arthur Clifford 3. Bill Kimbrey 4. Len Hickey 5. Norm Jarvis 6. Bob Bignell 7. Jack Clare (capt.) 8. Charlie Lacey 9. Les Murphy 10. Dale Schnieder 11. Jack Purdie 12. Ron Street 13. Andy Gallagher. 1974 – A long time between drinks A second First Grade Premiership came to Corrimal during the Seventies when the Cougars were once again one of the Illawarra's top clubs. The 1974 First Grade Premiership capped of a great era for the Corrimal Club which also included 3 Reserve Grade Premierships (1971,1973,1975) and 3 Third Grade Premierships (1971,1974,1978). Led by Former New Zealand Test Prop, Oscar Danielson as Captain Coach, the Cougars First Grade played 19 games Won 13, Lost 6. Including winning the Grand Final (22–8 v Wollongong) in front of an estimated 15000 strong crowd. The Grand Final Team was 1. Kerry Burke 2. Grant Vickers 3. John Delaney 4. Ron Loomes 5. Les Dennis 6. John Bonham 7. John Mcdonald 8. Neil Gilmore 9. Wayne Purdie 10. Ken Tompson 11. Graham Ernst 12. Oscar Danielson (Capt) 13. Brian Milthorpe. With John Jansen and Russ Amatto coming of the bench.


Players


Players

Players that have played in the National and/or Sydney competitions: *
John Bonham John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948 – 25 September 1980) was an English musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band Led Zeppelin. Esteemed for his speed, power, fast single-footed kick drumming, distinctive sound, and feel for groove,J ...
Newtown Jets The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSW Cup competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season. The Jets' home ground ...
(1970–73) * Oscar Danielson
Newtown Jets The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSW Cup competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season. The Jets' home ground ...
and New Zealand Rugby League Representative. *
Col Donohoe Matthew Colin "Col" Donohoe (1929-1986) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney clubs, playing between 1951 and 1959. Club career Col Donohoe, a half-back, played 4 seasons with the Syd ...
Eastern Suburbs Roosters The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional Rugby League Football Club based in the Eastern Suburbs (Sydney) and parts of inner Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition. The Roosters have won fifteen New S ...
,
South Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are a professional Australian rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen pla ...
, NSW, and
Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Au ...
representative *
Tyson Frizell Tyson Lomano David Frizell (born 9 October 1991) is a professional rugby league footballer who usually plays as a er for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. He has played for Wales in the 2011 Four Nations and 2013 Rugby League World Cup and Aust ...
Cronulla Sharks The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales. They compete in the National Rugby League (NRL), Australasia's premier rugby league ...
,
St. George Illawarra Dragons The St. George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing both the Illawarra and St George regions of New South Wales. The club has competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 after a joint-ve ...
, and
Newcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership. Playing in red and blue, th ...
NSW, Australian, and Welsh representative back rower. * Charlie Hazelton
St. George Dragons The St. George Dragons is an Australian rugby league football club from St George District in Sydney, New South Wales that played in the top level New South Wales competition and Australian Rugby League competitions from the 1921 until th ...
– NSW and
Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Au ...
representative *
Ben Hornby Ben Hornby (born 18 February 1980) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. An Australia international and New South Wales State of Origin representative back, he captained the St George Il ...
St. George Illawarra Dragons The St. George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing both the Illawarra and St George regions of New South Wales. The club has competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 after a joint-ve ...
NSW ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
and Australian representative * John Jansen
St. George Dragons The St. George Dragons is an Australian rugby league football club from St George District in Sydney, New South Wales that played in the top level New South Wales competition and Australian Rugby League competitions from the 1921 until th ...
(1976–83) *
Luke Patten Luke "The General" Patten (born 9 January 1980) is a former professional rugby league footballer and NRL match official. A Junior Kanaroo and Country New South Wales representative he played for the Illawarra Steelers, St George Illawarra Dra ...
Illawarra Steelers The Illawarra Steelers are an Australian rugby league football club based in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales. The club competed in Australia's top-level rugby league competition from 1982 until 1998. On the 13th of December 1980, the ...
,
St. George Illawarra Dragons The St. George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing both the Illawarra and St George regions of New South Wales. The club has competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 after a joint-ve ...
,
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, and
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fullback. *
Don Tweddle Don Tweddle Jr. (born 7 September 1979), also known by the nickname of "Twedds", is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s. He played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His position of choice was . Background Twe ...
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(2003) *
Craig Young Craig Young (born 25 June 1956) is an Australian former representative rugby league footballer for the Australia national rugby league team, the New South Wales Blues and a stalwart player over 11 seasons from 1977 to 1988 with the St. Georg ...
St. George Dragons The St. George Dragons is an Australian rugby league football club from St George District in Sydney, New South Wales that played in the top level New South Wales competition and Australian Rugby League competitions from the 1921 until th ...
– NSW, and
Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Au ...
representative


Corrimal Legends Team

In 2003 a Corrimal legends team was named.


Honours


Premierships

*
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
: First Grade Premiership: 2 :: 1948, 1974 *
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
: Second Grade Premierships: 5 :: 1924, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1983 *
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
: Third Grade Premierships: 6 :: 1971, 1974, 1978, 2012, 2013, 2014 *
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
: Fourth Grade Premierships: 1 :: 1970 *
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
: Womens League Premierships: 2 :: 2015, 2017, 2019


Club Championships

*
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
: Club Championships: 3 :: 1971, 1980, 1982


Life Members

* Alf Ramsay * Len Heath * Reg Eshman * Alex Mulligan * John Hutchinson * Jack Cartwright * Sid Graham * Toby Wood * Fred Hillyard * Greg James * Norm Jarvis * Dennis Murada * Mark ‘Legs’ Andrews * Trevor Shoobert * Phill Hedger * Phil Jackson * Terry Westblade * Dave Adams


References

*


External links


Corrimal Cougars Homepage

Country Rugby League Homepage
*
Country Rugby League The Country Rugby League of New South Wales (CRL), formed in 1934 and disbanded in 2019, was the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in areas of New South Wales outside the Sydney metropolitan area until it merged with NSW Rug ...

Illawarra Rugby League Homepage
*
Illawarra Rugby League The Illawarra Rugby League is a rugby league competition in Wollongong, NSW. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1911 with five clubs (Dapto, Helensburgh, Mount Keira, Unanderra and Wollongong). The area pr ...
{{Country Rugby League Rugby clubs established in 1912 1912 establishments in Australia Rugby league teams in Wollongong