Port Kembla Blacks
Encyclopedia
The Port Kembla Blacks (or Port Kembla Rugby League Football Club) are a Rugby League team that compete in the Illawarra Rugby League
competition.
In 1919, at the completion of World War I, the PKDRLFC resumed playing in the local competition, this time playing in all-black jerseys (and becoming known as “The Blacks”). The club waited only four years to win the local First Grade Premiership, and start a history of strong and respected local rugby league teams. 1922, the year of this first victory, also became the first of three consecutive First Grade titles for “The Blacks”.
The Club won five First Grade titles before adding a single white vee to their playing strip. The first top grade premiership in this jersey was won in 1934. It was not until the mid 1950’s that the second white vee was added to the jersey to form the now famous Port Kembla “traditional” jersey. A few alternate strips were trialled in later years including a predominantly white jersey with horizontal black stripes in the mid 1980’s, and the more modern sublimated strip from 1994. In 1999, the Club reverted to a more traditional playing strip, while still using the sublimated print jersey. The essence of the black jersey with two white vees was clearly evident, and still is today.
1940 saw the start of a run of five First Grade Premierships – the longest Premiership reign of any Illawarra First Grade rugby league team. The closest to this reign has been the Western Suburbs Red Devils, having won four consecutive titles. The club also holds the record for the most consecutive Third Grade titles in the Illawarra rugby league competition – seven from 1956 to 1962.
1946 saw the Port Kembla District RLFC win the Clayton Cup
, presented to the Country Rugby League First Grade club with the best season record. The First Grade team in 1946 went through the season undefeated – a feat also achieved in 1928 and 1941. No other Illawarra rugby league club has achieved this feat since. The PKDRLFC enjoyed all three grades winning their respective premierships on three occasions – 1937, 1938 and 1958.
Port Kembla also holds the record for the most first grade titles won in all Australian rugby league competitions, including the NRL – 23 in total.
Over the years, the Port Kembla District RLFC have had many loyal supporters and sponsors, but none so much as the Port Kembla Leagues Club. The Leagues Club have backed the RLFC for many years, through thick and thin, and it is hoped that they will for many years to come.
, Frank Johnston, Charlie Hazleton, Ian Moir
and John Simon
. Another Three Port Kembla players have reached state representative honours – Terry Beckett Terry Johnston and Chris Walsh
- while Chris Walsh
and John Cross have also captained the Illawarra Steelers.
A host of Port Kembla coaches have also made State and Australian teams including Ron Costello
, Graeme Langlands
and Brian Hetherington
.
Port Kembla won their most recent Under 18 titles in 2004 and again in 2006. The club also won their 13th Club Championship Trophy in 2004.
In 2007, Keith Lulia became the first Port Kembla junor since John Simon to progress to the NRL, debuting with the St George Illawarra Dragons in a 22-20 win over newcomers, the Gold Coast Titans. 2007 Under 18's centre, Kane Linnett, joined the Dragons top squad in 2008 before playing a leading role in helping the Sydney Roosters to the 2010 Grand Final.
In 2008 Port Kembla had to pull out of first and reserve grade due to financial constraints and player availability. The club instead participated in the VB Cup competition (third grade), winning the minor premiership, before backing it up in 2010, taking it all the way to win the VBR Cup premiership.
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 ....
competition.
History
The Port Kembla District Rugby League Football Club first entered the local rugby league competition in 1914, fielding Second and Third Grade teams. The club wore an all-dark green jersey, playing on a home ground which was a section of the old golf links (the original Port Kembla Golf Club), located near Hill 60. The club played only one year before the First World War interrupted the competition.In 1919, at the completion of World War I, the PKDRLFC resumed playing in the local competition, this time playing in all-black jerseys (and becoming known as “The Blacks”). The club waited only four years to win the local First Grade Premiership, and start a history of strong and respected local rugby league teams. 1922, the year of this first victory, also became the first of three consecutive First Grade titles for “The Blacks”.
The Club won five First Grade titles before adding a single white vee to their playing strip. The first top grade premiership in this jersey was won in 1934. It was not until the mid 1950’s that the second white vee was added to the jersey to form the now famous Port Kembla “traditional” jersey. A few alternate strips were trialled in later years including a predominantly white jersey with horizontal black stripes in the mid 1980’s, and the more modern sublimated strip from 1994. In 1999, the Club reverted to a more traditional playing strip, while still using the sublimated print jersey. The essence of the black jersey with two white vees was clearly evident, and still is today.
1940 saw the start of a run of five First Grade Premierships – the longest Premiership reign of any Illawarra First Grade rugby league team. The closest to this reign has been the Western Suburbs Red Devils, having won four consecutive titles. The club also holds the record for the most consecutive Third Grade titles in the Illawarra rugby league competition – seven from 1956 to 1962.
1946 saw the Port Kembla District RLFC win the Clayton Cup
Clayton Cup
The Clayton Cup is a trophy awarded by the Country Rugby League to the NSW country rugby league team with the best overall record for that season. To be eligible, the team must win the highest level of competition in its region. Usually the winner of the Clayton Cup goes through the season undefeated...
, presented to the Country Rugby League First Grade club with the best season record. The First Grade team in 1946 went through the season undefeated – a feat also achieved in 1928 and 1941. No other Illawarra rugby league club has achieved this feat since. The PKDRLFC enjoyed all three grades winning their respective premierships on three occasions – 1937, 1938 and 1958.
Port Kembla also holds the record for the most first grade titles won in all Australian rugby league competitions, including the NRL – 23 in total.
Over the years, the Port Kembla District RLFC have had many loyal supporters and sponsors, but none so much as the Port Kembla Leagues Club. The Leagues Club have backed the RLFC for many years, through thick and thin, and it is hoped that they will for many years to come.
Notable Players
Port Kembla has produced five Australian representatives in Noel MulliganNoel Mulligan
Noel Mulligan was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative forward, he played club football in Sydney's NSWRFL premiership for Newtown and St...
, Frank Johnston, Charlie Hazleton, Ian Moir
Ian Moir
Ian Moir was an Australian rugby league player, a champion wing three-quarter of the 1950s for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He made eight Test appearances for the Australian national representative side and represented in four World Cup matches in two World Cups and in 14 Kangaroo tour...
and John Simon
John Simon (rugby league)
John "Jack" Simon is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His club career was spent with the Illawarra Steelers, Easts, Parramatta, Auckland and Wests Tigers. Simon also represented for Australia and for New South Wales in Origin...
. Another Three Port Kembla players have reached state representative honours – Terry Beckett Terry Johnston and Chris Walsh
Chris Walsh (rugby league)
Chris Walsh is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New South Wales State of Origin forward, he played club football for the St. George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers.-Playing career:...
- while Chris Walsh
Chris Walsh (rugby league)
Chris Walsh is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New South Wales State of Origin forward, he played club football for the St. George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers.-Playing career:...
and John Cross have also captained the Illawarra Steelers.
A host of Port Kembla coaches have also made State and Australian teams including Ron Costello
Ron Costello
Ron Costello was a rugby league player for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, New South Wales and for the Australian national side....
, Graeme Langlands
Graeme Langlands
Graeme 'Changa' Langlands, MBE, is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1960s and 70s. He retired as the most-capped player for the Australian national team with 45 from 1963 to 1975, and captained his country in 15 Test matches and World Cup games. Langlands was the...
and Brian Hetherington
Brian Hetherington
Brian Hetherington is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He played in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He primarily played in the centres...
.
Modern era
The Black's last senior premiership was achieved in 2010 when the team coached by Jason Sullivan and captained by Jon Koot defeated Moutn Kembla in the VBR Cup Grand Final 22-10. The last First Grade Grand Final appearance was in 1980 when Port were defeated by Western Suburbs in a dour and windy tryless Grand Final to the score of 6-2.Port Kembla won their most recent Under 18 titles in 2004 and again in 2006. The club also won their 13th Club Championship Trophy in 2004.
In 2007, Keith Lulia became the first Port Kembla junor since John Simon to progress to the NRL, debuting with the St George Illawarra Dragons in a 22-20 win over newcomers, the Gold Coast Titans. 2007 Under 18's centre, Kane Linnett, joined the Dragons top squad in 2008 before playing a leading role in helping the Sydney Roosters to the 2010 Grand Final.
In 2008 Port Kembla had to pull out of first and reserve grade due to financial constraints and player availability. The club instead participated in the VB Cup competition (third grade), winning the minor premiership, before backing it up in 2010, taking it all the way to win the VBR Cup premiership.
Team
- Illawarra Rugby LeagueIllawarra Rugby LeagueThe 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 ....
First Grade Premierships: 23
-
- 1922, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1928, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1949, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1965
- Illawarra Rugby League Reserve Grade Premierships: 15
-
- 1933, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1977
- Illawarra Rugby League Third Grade Premierships: 16
-
- 1950, 1951, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1995, 2010
- Illawarra Rugby League Club Championships: 13
-
- 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 2004
- Clayton CupsClayton CupThe Clayton Cup is a trophy awarded by the Country Rugby League to the NSW country rugby league team with the best overall record for that season. To be eligible, the team must win the highest level of competition in its region. Usually the winner of the Clayton Cup goes through the season undefeated...
: 1
-
- 1946