One hundred years of Bluebags

Submitted by Rick Eyre on January 8 2008, 1:45 pm

Today, 8 January 2008, is the centenary of Australia's first rugby league club, Newtown RLFC.

Known for many years as the Bluebags, Newtown was given the nickname the Jets by then-coach Jack Gibson as an act of American cultural cringe. Alas, the name has stuck.

Newtown was kicked out of the first grade competition after the 1983 season for financial reasons when a proposed move into the Campbelltown area went south. More recently they have re-emerged in lower grades, and this year will turn out in the New South Wales Cup, formerly known as the Premier League and even more formerly known as Reserve Grade.

I have been a Newtown supporter since moving into the area and losing interest in the NRL.

Happy centenary Newtown!