history

ABOUT US

The junior rugby league football club for Gymea now known as the "Gymea Gorillas" in fact been formed for over 40 years.
Like so many growing areas in the 1950's and 60's , particularly outer metropolitan, the Sutherland Shire felt a sharp rise in population post the Second World War. Most families were parenting 3-4 children in the space of a few short years. The demand for increased sporting facilities and junior sporting organisations was overwhelming. Somebody had to do something about it .............and as usual a few parents stepped forward and got the ball rolling well before the money was there. There was a need and there were many giving parents to support it.
The year 2003 saw the 40th anniversary of the Club. It officially entered the junior league in 1963 using the name Gymea Bay. The club players and members had already been around for some years playing in different competitions. The first official constitution for the club was set in November 1962. It was 1963 when they entered The Cronulla Sutherland District Junior Rugby League Club and today it is known as "Cronulla-Sutherland District Junior Rugby Football League Incorporated". In those 40 years the club produced some 80 premiership sides, countless grade players, representative players and a handful of Australian representatives.
The club names went from "Gymea Bay Dragons" (Gymea Bay Primary School entrant name),
"Gymea Bay Sports Club", "Gymea Bay JRLFC" to "Gymea Junior Rugby League Football Club" (Gorillas).
The first ground used by the club was actually the Gymea Bay Primary School known as the Gymea Bay Oval
(or was it rectangle / cricket has always had a say in the design of playing fields). The move to Corea Road field was 1966. The kiosk was built this year and the first stage of the clubrooms in 1967; much to the envy of other local district clubs. The final top extension in 1975 for around $24,000.00 with help.
Here are some names of original club starters: Mr. W. Carrick, Mrs. Hume, Mrs. Burgess, Mr. Burgess,
Mr. V. Sponberg, Mr. R. Hathaway, Mr. T. Allen, Mr. L. Handley, Mr. P. Grant, Mr. G. Hume, Mr. R. McInnes,
Mr. T. Froggatt, Mr. L. Cunningham, Mr. C. Worthington. Apologise for those that may have been left out.
A great deal of financial support of course comes from sponsors, some big some small, but without whom clubs would have few to little facilities at all. Thanks must always be afforded to them and their continued support nurtured. Sponsors are an integral part of the life blood of this club and many others.
Not all sports clubs are run by men. Women do a lot behind the scenes as well as participating in official roles. "Behind Every Man There Is A Good Woman" and without the support of women some of the men probably wouldn't have been able to pursue their love affair with the club or the game in general. In the early 1970's some women decided to have a go at playing too. Dubbing themselves with the name "The Gymea Lillies" (there is a local native plant called the "Gymea Lilly") they played in 1972 and 1973 against another women's team called the "Bosco Butchers" ( can't imagine who that could have been). The purpose was to raise funds for "The St. John Bosco Youth Centre Appeal".
(Check out page 16 of the Gymea JRLFC 40 Years Commemorative Book if you can get one)
The club dynasty families...........there has been plenty from grandfather to grandson. Carmody, Battersby, Bagnall, Heke, Cawsey, Clay, Williams, Davis, Dowling, Folaumoeloa, Forrest, Hadfield, Heenan, Herman, Martin, Marjoram, Pierce, Ollerenshae, Robbie, Pringle, Hinchy, Clelland, Irwin, Obrien, Traish, Hughes, Hume, Riley, Bentley, Richards, Dean, Childahouse, Kirkby, Buchanan, Canavan, Phillips, Hatch, Joyce; there are more being produced each year. ( sorry for any ommissions)
The club fielded 199 teams in 2003. (teams are known as juniors from the ages of 6 to 15)
The club has had players in many side competitions such as Matthews Cup, SG Ball Cup, Jersey Flegg, Jack Gibson, Pass The Ball, etc.(Matthews Cup ages now 14 - 16, SG Ball now 15 - 18, Jersey Flegg now 17 - 20)
Quote by ex club secretary 1984 - 1992 found in the 40th anniversary commemorative book:
"Success has been a result of what I believe Gymea has always stood for:
* Being a family oriented club
* Giving every player an opportunity to play this great game, no matter what
their ability
* Ensuring that every team from U6 to A Grade has the same importance".
( Most references taken from the 40th anniversary commemorative book which if you can get one makes a damn good read and .........for a trip down memory lane visit the clubrooms and take a look at some of the pictures and photographs on the Gymea Walls of Fame.......you might even bump into a few legends while you are there.)
There has over the years been many games played outside of our district (mainly country) and we have hosted many visiting teams. However in year 2004 saw a first--------- not just for the club--------- but for Junior District Rugby League generally. The 2004 U14 squad of three teams departed Australian Shores in November to test their skills against some Northern UK teams. It is hoped that teams from UK will pay us a return visit and that the club will be able to continue this kind of travelling for our players of the future.