Group 4 Rugby League
Sport | Rugby league |
---|---|
Instituted | 1913 |
Inaugural season | 1913 |
Number of teams | 9 |
Country | Australia |
Premiers | ![]() |
Most titles | ![]() |
Website | Group 4 at SportsTG |
Group 4 is a rugby league competition in the New England and north west area of New South Wales, run under the auspices of the Country Rugby League.
Structure
[edit]The Group runs a first grade, reserve grade, league tag and under 18s competitions. All nine first grade clubs run at least one lower grade team and most will have three or four. In addition to the nine first grade clubs, there was also one junior club involved in under 16s: Farrer MAHS. The Under 16s competition has since become a part of the junior league organisation in the region, Group 4 JRL. It also formerly ran a second division competition called the Wests Shield. The second division competition contained stand-alone senior teams from smaller towns within the region, who eventually moved up to first grade in 2018 after a merger between the divisions. Kootingal-Moonbi, Dungowan and Boggabri moved up to being full first grade teams, whilst Manilla and Barraba moved into the reserves competition. Manilla then re-joined the first grade competition in 2022.
There are also Group 4 senior Under 18s and Under 16s representative teams that competes against other Group sides. They compete against Groups 19 and 21 in trials for the Greater Northern Tigers regional team.
Teams
[edit]Current teams
[edit]Nine teams currently compete in Group 4 Rugby League first grade, from towns across the New England and north west area of New South Wales.
The 2020 season was postponed and subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[1]
First Grade Clubs
Team | Home ground | No. of Premierships | Premierships |
---|---|---|---|
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Jubilee Oval | 2 | 1963, 1964 |
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Dungowan Oval | 0 | None |
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Kitchener Park | 7 | 1956, 1965, 1973, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1998 |
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Kootingal Oval | 0 | None |
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Boughton Oval | 4 | 1988, 1989, 1999, 2002 |
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Collins Park | 5 | 1940, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1990 |
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Jack Woolaston Oval | 22 | 1913, 1921, 1924, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1980, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 |
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Cook Oval | 2 | 1992, 2004 |
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David Taylor Oval | 10 | 1925, 1933, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1979, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Former teams
[edit]The following teams have competed in Group 4 First Grade since 1983:
- Armidale (2016) (moved back to Group 19)
- Barraba (1980s–2021, on and off) (folded)
- Bendemeer (2018) (folded)
- Collegians Tamworth (2017) (Returned to junior football only)
- Coonabarabran (1998–2009) (moved to Castlereagh)
- Inverell (1980s–1989) (moved to Group 19)
- Moree Boomerangs (1980s–1990) (moved to Group 19)
- Manilla Tigers (–2022) (folded)
- Oxley Diggers Tamworth (2014–16) (folded)
- Tamworth City (1956–1995, merged with West Tamworth)[2]
- Tamworth United (1990–91)
- Warialda (1980s–1988) (moved to Group 19)
- West Tamworth (1913–1995 as the Robins, merged with Tamworth City 1995–2016), rebranded as South West (2017).
Many of these clubs have moved to Group 19.
These clubs fielded teams in at least one Division 2 competition during the seasons 2011 to 2017.
- Bendemeer (folded)
- Bingara (Group 19)
- Bundarra (moved to Group 19, in recess)
- Quirindi (moved to Group 21, Folded)
- Uralla (moved to Group 19, amalgamated with Walcha)
- Walcha (moved to Group 19, amalgamated with Uralla)
In 2018, the clubs Bendemeer, Boggabri, Dungowan, Kootingal-Moonbi and Werris Creek were elevated from Division 2 into a reorganised First Grade competition. Manilla moved into the lower grades.
Map
[edit]Local Area | in New South Wales |
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Grand finals
[edit]Year | Premiers | Score | Runners-up | Report | Winning Coach | Grand Final venue | Minor Premiers | Wooden Spoon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1912 | ![]() |
10–4 | ![]() |
[3] | Outer Oval, Tamworth | |||
1913 | ![]() |
- | ![]() |
[4] | Paddy McGuinness | No Final | ||
1914 | ![]() |
12–3 | ![]() |
[5] | ||||
1915 | ![]() |
- | ![]() |
|||||
1919 | ![]() |
24–0 | ![]() |
[6] | Tamworth Oval | |||
1920 | ![]() |
8–3 | ![]() |
[7] | Tamworth Oval | |||
1921 | ![]() |
5–4 | ![]() |
E. (LEG) Frame | ||||
1922 | ![]() |
7–6 | ![]() |
|||||
1923 | ![]() |
7–0 | ![]() |
[8] | ||||
1924 | ![]() |
- | No Final | Tom McCormack | No Final | |||
1925 | ![]() |
- | No Final | [9] | Alec Main | No Final | ||
1926 | ![]() |
10–3 | ![]() |
[10] | Harry Pinkerton | Tamworth Oval | ||
1927 | ![]() |
8–4 | ![]() |
Harry Pinkerton | ||||
1928 | ![]() |
10–3 | ![]() |
|||||
1929 | ![]() |
- | No Final | Harry Pinkerton | No Final | |||
1930 | Nundle | 8–5 | ![]() |
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1931 | ![]() |
9–0 | ![]() |
[11] | Harry Thompson | Tamworth Oval | ![]() | |
1932 | ![]() |
8–5 | ![]() |
[12] | Jim Tait | |||
1933 | ![]() |
8–7 | ![]() |
[13] | Benny Bell | |||
1934 | ![]() |
20–15 | ![]() |
[14] | Cec Anderton | |||
1935 | Cup & Shield Games Only | |||||||
1936 | ||||||||
1937 | ![]() |
13–5 | ![]() |
[15] | ||||
1938 | ![]() |
8–5 | Tamworth | [16] | ||||
1939 | Tamworth | - | No Final | No Final | ||||
1940 | ![]() |
31–7 | Tamworth | [17] | Collins Park; Narrabri | ![]() |
||
1941 | Tamworth | 7–4 | Army | |||||
1942 | Tamworth | 17–15 | ![]() |
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1943 | Con Depot | 17–10 | Tamworth | |||||
1944 | Tamworth | 6–3 | Railways | [18] | ||||
1945 | Railways | 17–11 | ![]() |
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1946 | Tamworth | 13–3 | ![]() |
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1947 | ![]() |
19–6 | ![]() |
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1948 | ![]() |
14–7 | ![]() |
Eric Frazer | ![]() |
|||
1949 | ![]() |
18–11 | ![]() |
Eric Frazer | ![]() |
|||
1950 | ![]() |
10–2 | ![]() |
Allan Nelson | ||||
1951 | ![]() |
13–2 | ![]() |
[19] | Vic Williams | |||
1952 | ![]() |
11–9 | ![]() |
[20] | Greg Wilkins | ![]() |
||
1953 | ![]() |
23–5 | ![]() |
[21] | Lloyd Russell | ![]() |
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1954 | ![]() |
24–12 | ![]() |
[22] | Ron Madden | Tamworth Oval | ![]() |
|
1955 | ![]() |
16–7 | ![]() |
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1956 | ![]() |
23–5 | ![]() |
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1957 | ![]() |
21–7 | ![]() |
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1958 | ![]() |
16–12 | ![]() |
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1959 | ![]() |
24–2 | ![]() |
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1960 | ![]() |
13–8 | ![]() |
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1961 | ![]() |
10–8 | ![]() |
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1962 | ![]() |
22–7 | ![]() |
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1963 | ![]() |
22–10 | ![]() |
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1964 | ![]() |
18–17 | ![]() |
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1965 | ![]() |
29–4 | ![]() |
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1966 | ![]() |
11–9 | ![]() |
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1967 | ![]() |
25–13 | ![]() |
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1968 | ![]() |
26–12 | ![]() |
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1969 | ![]() |
5–2 | ![]() |
Wiliam Bischoff | ||||
1970 | ![]() |
32–9 | ![]() |
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1971 | ![]() |
8–7 | ![]() |
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1972 | ![]() |
22–14 | ![]() |
Wiliam Bischoff | ||||
1973 | ![]() |
25–5 | ![]() |
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1974 | ![]() |
21–8 | ![]() |
Des Kimmorley | ||||
1975 | ![]() |
12–4 | ![]() |
Marty Williamson | ![]() |
|||
1976 | ![]() |
18–5 | ![]() |
Frank Fish | ||||
1977 | ![]() |
34–0 | ![]() |
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1978 | ![]() |
15–7 | ![]() |
Dempsey Joy | ||||
1979 | ![]() |
21–3 | ![]() |
[9] | Wiliam Bischoff | David Taylor Park; Werris Creek | ![]() |
|
1980 | ![]() |
23–15 | ![]() |
Russell Worth | ![]() |
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1981 | ![]() |
22–16 | ![]() |
Scully Park | ![]() |
|||
1982 | ![]() |
21–2 | ![]() |
Neville Baldock | ||||
1983 | ![]() |
26–22 | ![]() |
Terry Donnelly | ||||
1984 | ![]() |
35–20 | ![]() |
John Lennan | ||||
1985 | ![]() |
19–12 | ![]() |
John Lennan | Kitchener Park; Gunnedah | ![]() |
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1986 | ![]() |
6–4 | ![]() |
Steve Martin | Scully Park | ![]() |
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1987 | ![]() |
10–0 | ![]() |
Steve Martin | Scully Park | ![]() |
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1988 | ![]() |
32–28 | ![]() |
John Kirkwood | Burt Jovanovich Park | ![]() |
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1989 | ![]() |
16–15 | ![]() |
John Kirkwood | Burt Jovanovich Park | ![]() |
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1990 | ![]() |
18–14 | ![]() |
Kevin Hill | Collins Park; Narrabri | ![]() |
Tamworth United | |
1991 | ![]() |
21–6 | ![]() |
Gary Maguire | Scully Park | ![]() |
Tamworth United | |
1992 | ![]() |
18–12 | ![]() |
John Harvey | Cook Oval; Wee Waa | |||
1993 | ![]() |
20–16 | ![]() |
Ron Dellar | David Taylor Park; Werris Creek | |||
1994 | ![]() |
24–14 | ![]() |
Mick Schmiedel | Kitchener Park | |||
1995 | ![]() |
16–14 | ![]() |
Ron Dellar | ![]() |
|||
1996 | ![]() |
45–14 | ![]() |
Ron Dellar | ![]() |
|||
1997 | ![]() |
32–32 Replay 22-21 |
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Ron Dellar | ![]() |
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1998 | ![]() |
33–14 | ![]() |
Peter Ryman | ![]() |
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1999 | ![]() |
32–20 | ![]() |
Mark Ryan | ![]() |
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2000 | ![]() |
23–6 | ![]() |
[23] | Tony La Chiusa | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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2001 | ![]() |
34–24 | ![]() |
[24] | Tony La Chiusa | Scully Park | ![]() |
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2002 | ![]() |
34–18 | ![]() |
[25] | Tony Murray | Burt Jovanovich Oval, Moree | ![]() |
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2003 | ![]() |
33–24 | ![]() |
[26] | Mark Watton | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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2004 | ![]() |
46–10 | ![]() |
[27] | Matt Hogan | Cook Oval, Wee Waa | ![]() |
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2005 | ![]() |
34–28 | ![]() |
[28] | Luke Taylor | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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2006 | ![]() |
42–14 | ![]() |
Luke Taylor | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
![]() | |
2007 | ![]() |
32–12 | ![]() |
[29] | Matt Parsons | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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2008 | ![]() |
8–6 | ![]() |
Matt Parsons | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
![]() | |
2009 | ![]() |
52–28 | ![]() |
Tony La Chiusa | Scully Park | ![]() |
![]() | |
2010 | ![]() |
55–12 | ![]() |
[30] | Tony La Chiusa | Scully Park | ![]() |
![]() |
2011 | ![]() |
54–14 | ![]() |
[31] | Tony La Chiusa | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
![]() |
2012 | ![]() |
23–12 | ![]() |
[32] | Tony La Chiusa | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
![]() |
2013 | ![]() |
33–24 | ![]() |
[33] | Tony La Chiusa | Scully Park | ![]() |
![]() |
2014 | ![]() |
56–18 | ![]() |
[34] | Brad McManus | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
![]() |
2015 | ![]() |
46–25 | ![]() |
[35] | Zac Russ | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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2016 | ![]() |
36–12 | ![]() |
[36] | Brad McManus | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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2017 | ![]() |
30–22 | ![]() |
[37] | Brad McManus | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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2018 | ![]() |
34–28 | ![]() |
[38] | Scott Blanch | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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2019 | ![]() |
40–4 | ![]() |
[39] | Scott Blanch | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
![]() |
2020 and 2021 seasons cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. | ||||||||
2022 | ![]() |
22–14 | ![]() |
Paul Boyce | Dungowan Recreation Reserve | ![]() |
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2023 | ![]() |
26–16 | ![]() |
[40] | Paul Boyce | Jack Woolaston Oval | ![]() |
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Junior League
[edit]Current Teams
[edit]Team | Home ground |
---|---|
![]() |
Dungowan Oval |
![]() |
Farrer HS |
![]() |
Kitchener Park |
![]() |
Kootingal Oval |
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Manilla Oval |
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Tamworth |
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Collins Park |
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Jack Woolaston Oval |
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Scully Park Precinct |
![]() |
David Taylor Oval |
Notable juniors
[edit]Boggabri Kangaroos
[edit]Dungowan Cowboys
[edit]Gunnedah Bulldogs
[edit]- John Donnelly (rugby league)
- James Wynne
- John O’Neill (rugby league)
- Lindsay Johnston
- Ron Turner (rugby league)
Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters
[edit]Narrabri Blues
[edit]North Tamworth Bears
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "2020 Group 4 Season Suspended". 2TM. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ Bath, Chris (12 June 2016). "Tamworth City Lions revelling in a league of their own". Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "Half-Holiday Football - Easts Win The Premiership". Tamworth Daily Observer. Tamworth: National Library of Australia. 3 October 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "Rebels Final Social". Tamworth Daily Observer. Tamworth: National Library of Australia. 10 October 1913. p. 4. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "League Football - First Grade Competition - West Tamworth Premiers". Tamworth Daily Observer. Tamworth: National Library of Australia. 14 September 1914. p. 3. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "Football - League Finals in Tamworth". Daily Observer (Tamworth). Tamworth: National Library of Australia. 8 September 1919. p. 1. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "Tamworth Football". Daily Observer (Tamworth). Tamworth: National Library of Australia. 19 July 1920. p. 1. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ Bryant, Col (1991). Red and black men - A History of the North Tamworth Rugby League Football Club. Peel Publishing Pty Ltd.
- ^ a b Holley, Chris (1997). A Few Ruffled Feathers - Tracing the History of Werris Creek Rugby League 1912-1997. Werris Creek Rugby League Club.
- ^ "Football". Manilla Express. Manilla: National Library of Australia. 7 September 1926. p. 2. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Football". Manilla Express. Manilla: National Library of Australia. 25 August 1931. p. 2. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "The Referee's Section of NSW Country Football". The Referee. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 17 August 1932. p. 17. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Central Northern League". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 5 September 1933. p. 16. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "The Sun Stop Press". The Newcastle Sun. Newcastle: National Library of Australia. 8 September 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Northern Football". Maitland District Mercury. Maitland: National Library of Australia. 26 July 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Football - Scone v. West Tamworth - Game for Championship of Group 4". The Scone Advocate. Scone: National Library of Australia. 23 August 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Tamworth Overwhelmed". The Northwestern Courier. Narrabri: National Library of Australia. 12 August 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Football - Tamworth on Sunday". The Muswellbrook Chronicle and Upper Hunter advertiser. Muswellbrook: National Library of Australia. 4 August 1944. p. 8. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Tamworth Final". Armidale Express. Armidale: National Library of Australia. 3 September 1951. p. 11. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ "Personal Pars". The Muswellbrook Chronicle and Upper Hunter advertiser. Muswellbrook: National Library of Australia. 26 August 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ "Rugby League - North Tamworth Wins". Armidale Express. Armidale: National Library of Australia. 31 August 1953. p. 11. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ "Rugby League - Armidale Too Strong For West". Armidale Express. Armidale: National Library of Australia. 20 September 1954. p. 10. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ Gould, Joel (3 September 2000). "Lions reap dividend of sticking to game plan". Northern Daily Leader. p. 36.
- ^ Gould, Joel (10 September 2001). "Ellison vows no more comebacks". Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ Gould, Joel (8 September 2002). "Full Boar weekend". Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ Gould, Joel (14 September 2003). "Unicorn forwards lay platform for backs to finish". Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ Newling, Geoff (12 September 2004). "Hogan's heroes". Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ Newling, Geoff (18 September 2005). "Champion Bears". Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ Robertson, Grant (16 September 2007). "Victory Taylor-made". Northern Daily Leader.
- ^ "Lions savage Panthers for 24th title". Northern Daily Leader. 19 September 2010.
- ^ "North Tamworth Bears V West Lions Grand Final Day 2011". 9 September 2011. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ Robertson, Grant (27 August 2012). "West Lions 23 North Tamworth 12". Northern Daily Leader. p. 28.
- ^ Newling, Geoff (9 September 2013). "GALLERY: The West was won with early assault". The Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ Newling, Geoff (23 September 2014). "North Tamworth Bears kings of country". The Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ "Bears go back-to-back". Northern Daily Leader. 13 September 2015.
- ^ Herbert, Emily (12 September 2016). "Group Four's Grubby Grand Final". NBN News. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ Bode, Mark (10 September 2017). "Group 4 First Division: North Tamworth secure fourth straight premiership with bruising defeat of Narrabri". The Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ Bode, Mark (9 September 2018). "Group 4 grand final: North Tamworth Bears edge Gunnedah Bulldogs 34–28". The Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ Bode, Mark (7 September 2019). "2019 Group 4 first grade grand final - North Tamworth Bears down Kooty Roosters 40-4". Northern Daily Leader. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ Smith, Tallon (23 August 2023). "Group 4: North Tamworth make it eight titles on the trot with Grand Final victory over Moree". Battlers For Bush Footy. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
External links and sources
[edit]- Country Rugby League Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine official site
- Group 4 on SportsTG
- Rugby League Week at State Library of NSW Research and Collections