Swansea JRLFC kicked off in 1962. Among the early committeemen were Neil Coulter, Jimmy Evans, Pat Blyton, Wally Stricklan, Kev Davis and Jack Seamer. One of the first presidents was Tommy Buckman who's grandson Jon was one of our latest to join the Knights squad (2000).
The Club first started playing games at Quinn Park next to the Olympic Pool before moving to its present location at Parbury Park in the mid 60s. The original change sheds were built entirely by donated labour of local tradesmen. The old gear shed at the southern end of the field was the original canteen.
The early competition was restricted to East Lake Macquarie. The comp Swansea teams typically played were Lakes, Belmont Sporties, Belmont North, Windale, Gateshead and Mount Hutton. Valentine didn't enter the scene until the mid 70s.
Under 14s was the oldest age side at Swansea until 1981 when they entered an Under 20s team in the Newcastle 1st division. The team was coached by Pete Cowling, himself an old Swansea junior. Pete's nephew is Mark Hughes star of the Knights and past State of Origin and Australian centre.
The outside centre in that first Under 20s team didn't go on to play NRL, but you can still see him on Friday night television after the footy. He is Tony Squires current host of the ABC TV programme – The Fat.
Swansea Juniors has supplied many players for the South Perth Lions (Western Australia) over the years and the Lions still welcome any Swansea boys who want a run in the Perth 1st Grade Comp. Some of those making the trek across the Nullabor over the years were Brett Jaeger, the Lowe Brothers – Al & Ray, Jeff Seamer, Darrell Coombs, Craig Hartley, John Mclellan, Peter Allington, Corey Gardiner, Barry Cheers, Curly Roulstone to name but a few.
