Nowra Warriors Juniors RLFC Inc (South Coast Group 7 Rugby League)

Junior Rugby League started in Nowra in 1951 when a committee of Junior League officials was formed to enter teams in the available teenage competitions. The main driving force behind this move came from Jack Aldous and Charlie Allen.

The first recorded leadingships won by Nowra were in 1958 by the 13 & 14 age groups. Since then Nowra Junior Rugby League has won 59 premierships in all ages from 8 to 16. For many years 8s & 9s have not played a final series.

With the introduction of other age groups within the Group 7 competition, the Nowra Warriors Junior Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1964 with Jack Aldous as President. By 1966 ages between 8 and 16 were provided for and Nowra had teams in each age group, with 2 in some ages. This was due to the inspiration and enthusiasm of Jack Aldous, particularly his involvement in and promotion of the Midgets team as an introduction to Rugby League.

The club has always provided strong commitment to the administration and running of football within Group 7. The club has provided a Group President and has consistently provided a member to the Management Committee.

On presentation day each participating boy is presented with a trophy and other trophies are awarded for individual talents and achievements. In 1972 a trophy was presented to each boy who had represented the Club in 100 games. Six boys received the trophy in that year. The trophy has become the most desired within the Club.

The Club has also won the Group 7 Club Championship in 1982 and 1991.

In the early years games were played at the Nowra Showground but as the number of teams grew there was a need to move. In 1971 the Club moved to Lyrebird Park where two full sized fields were available. In 1973 Lyrebird Park Canteen was erected entirely out of Club funds and voluntary labour. This remained until 2004 when in conjunction with Touch and Soccer, funds were provided to Council to build the current building.

The Clubs contribution was $50,000.

Fundraising has always been difficult. In the early days a canteen was run out of car boots before, using a trestle table outside the grandstand. Later at Lyrebird a tent was used before having a proper canteen. In the early days money was raised through raffles, silver dollar draws, chook wheels and meat trays.

As most teams played at the same grounds each weekend, there was a very close relationship between all the teams and parents. Social events were very popular. With the introduction of more teams into the competition, teams became more scattered on game days, and it became harder to keep the interest club minded rather than team. The main fundraising is now through the canteen and sponsorship.

The club has always had a close relationship with the schools, both primary and secondary, with school-boy knockouts and various competition games being played on the grounds. The club members act as grounds-people and provide a canteen for those days.