History
History of Toowoomba Rugby League
Rugby league was first played in Toowoomba in 1908 when New Zealand Maori team played a Queensland team with Queenslanders winning 11-9.
According to Max Howell in his book The Centenary of the Greatest Game Under the Sun “The game, which was the first played by an international team outside of Brisbane, also started a proud tradition for Toowoomba…
Since then the Downs city has been a graveyard for many touring teams.” Teams that fell foul of the Clydesdales included the great South Sydney teams of the 1920s and the Great Britain touring teams in 1979 and 1984.
The very first club rugby league fixture took place on 24 March 1913 when East Toowoomba played West Toowoomba in Queen’s Park.
A third local team, Railways, made up the local Toowoomba competition in its inaugural year.
Valleys entered the competition in 1914 and claimed their very first premiership.
Other teams competing in 1914 were Railways and West End.
Of course, 1914 also saw the start of World War I and rugby league was essentially put on hold until hostilities ceased in 1918.
The Toowoomba Rugby League (TRL) was formed in 1919 and commenced the inaugural senior rugby league competition in Toowoomba in the same year.
1919 is recognised as the official start of because it has been uninterrupted since then and includes Brothers and Valleys as foundation clubs of the Toowoomba Rugby League.
Below are details of when new clubs entered the competition.
No details of when some clubs may have left the competition are provided.
| 1919 | Valleys - Brothers (All Whites) - Boomerangs |
| 1920 | Valleys - Brothers - Boomerangs - Returned Soldiers (Diggers) |
| 1922 | Newtown - Rangers |
| 1926 | South End (renamed Southern Suburbs in 1951) |
| 1939-1945 | Southern Cross - Military Hospital - Bulldogs - Champions - Reds - Gunners - Spotters - Highfields - Swans - Mt Lofty Swifts - Devils Own - RAAF Oakey - RAAF Jondaryan - RAAF Leyburn - Colts |
| 1967 | Pittsworth - Millmerran - Oakey - Wattles |
| 1986 | Warwick - Stanthorpe - Gatton |
| 1996 | Goondiwindi - Dalby |
| 1999 | Broncos - Colts (1 season only) |
| 2003 | Broncos - Colts (1 season only) |
| 2013 | Highfields |
World War II provided a massive boost to the competitions with an influx of army base teams that were stationed locally.
The Toowoomba Rugby League has a strong and rich history in the game of rugby league and the Galloping Clydesdales name is well known throughout the rugby league world. It has been the premier Queensland regional rugby league area/stronghold for decades and at one stage during its high-profile history, is was the centre of rugby league in Australia.
The area and competition have produced a multitude of players that have represented the Toowoomba Clydesdales, their State and country. From this playing group, this region has produced some of the best rugby league talent and the most revered characters throughout history.
The Toowoomba Rugby League runs competitions in 5 grades – First Grade, Reserve Grade, Second Division, Under 18 and Open Women – and has 15 affiliated clubs from a vast geographical area. The Clubs in 2020 are Brothers, Dalby, Gatton, Goondiwindi, Highfields, Newtown, Oakey, Pittsworth, South Burnett (Under 18s and Open Women), Southern Suburbs, Stanthorpe (Second Division only), Texas (Second Division only), Valleys, Warwick and Wattles.
The Toowoomba Rugby League is governed by a well credentialled and committed Board of Directors who possess a wealth of experience both inside and outside the game. The 9-member Board is responsible for plotting the strategic direction of the game and for the administration of the competition. A group of delegates, with representation from all affiliated clubs, acts as an advisory body on the strategic direction of the Toowoomba Rugby League. Delegates’ meetings also provide an important opportunity for information exchange and networking.
Team of the Century
| 1 | Frank Drake | All Whites |
| 2 | Des McGovern | All Whites |
| 3 | Tom Gorman | Past Brothers |
| 4 | John “Cracker” McDonald | Valleys |
| 5 | Michael Hancock | Stanthorpe |
| 6 | Bobby Banks | Newtown |
| 7 | Johnathan Thurston | All Whites |
| 8 | Herb Steinohrt | Valleys |
| 9 | Dan Dempsey | |
| 10 | Peter “Mick” Madsen | All Whites |
| 11 | Steve Price | Newtown |
| 12 | Duncan Hall | |
| 13 | Elton Rasmussen | All Whites |
| 14 | Ian “Ripper” Doyle | All Whites |
| 15 | Vic Armbruster | Valleys |
| 16 | Shane Webcke | Wattles |
| 17 | John Gleeson | All Whites |
| 18 | Pat “Cocky” McMahon | Souths/All Whites |
| Coach 1 | Duncan Thompson | |
| Coach 2 | Wayne Bennett | All Whites |
Premiers
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 | Past Brothers | |||||||
| 1920 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1921 | Past Brothers | |||||||
| 1922 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1923 | Past Brothers | |||||||
| 1924 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1925 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1926 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1927 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1928 | Past Brothers | |||||||
| 1929 | Valleys |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Past Brothers | |||||||
| 1931 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1932 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1933 | Newtown | |||||||
| 1934 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1935 | Past Brothers | |||||||
| 1936 | Past Brothers | |||||||
| 1937 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1938 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1939 | Valleys |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Carlton | |||||||
| 1941 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1942 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1943 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1944 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1945 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1946 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1947 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1948 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1949 | All Whites |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1951 | Souths | |||||||
| 1952 | Valleys | All Whites | ||||||
| 1953 | All Whites | All Whites | All Whites | |||||
| 1954 | All Whites | All Whites | ||||||
| 1955 | All Whites | All Whites | ||||||
| 1956 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1957 | Souths | |||||||
| 1958 | Newtown | |||||||
| 1959 | All Whites |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | All Whites | All Whites | ||||||
| 1961 | Souths | |||||||
| 1962 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1963 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1964 | Valleys | All Whites | ||||||
| 1965 | Valleys | All Whites | ||||||
| 1966 | Valleys | All Whites | All Whites | All Whites | ||||
| 1967 | Pittsworth | All Whites | All Whites | |||||
| 1968 | Valleys | |||||||
| 1969 | Valleys |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Wattles | All Whites | All Whites | |||||
| 1971 | Valleys | All Whites | All Whites | |||||
| 1972 | Valleys | All Whites | ||||||
| 1973 | Newtown | All Whites | ||||||
| 1974 | Pittsworth | |||||||
| 1975 | Oakey | All Whites | ||||||
| 1976 | Pittsworth | |||||||
| 1977 | Oakey | |||||||
| 1978 | Souths | |||||||
| 1979 | Oakey | All Whites | All Whites |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Oakey | All Whites | ||||||
| 1981 | Millmerran | All Whites | Souths | |||||
| 1982 | Millmerran | |||||||
| 1983 | Newtown | Souths | ||||||
| 1984 | Valleys | Souths | All Whites | |||||
| 1985 | Newtown | |||||||
| 1986 | Pittsworth | All Whites | ||||||
| 1987 | Warwick | Gatton | ||||||
| 1988 | Warwick | All Whites | ||||||
| 1989 | Gatton | All Whites |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | All Whites | All Whites | ||||||
| 1991 | All Whites | All Whites | ||||||
| 1992 | Valleys | All Whites | ||||||
| 1993 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1994 | Oakey | All Whites | ||||||
| 1995 | All Whites | |||||||
| 1996 | Souths | Souths | Souths | Souths | ||||
| 1997 | Wattles | |||||||
| 1998 | Oakey | |||||||
| 1999 | Oakey | All Whites | All Whites |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | All Whites | |||||||
| 2001 | All Whites | |||||||
| 2002 | Newtown | |||||||
| 2003 | Broncos | Colts | ||||||
| 2004 | Pittsworth | |||||||
| 2005 | Goondiwindi | |||||||
| 2006 | Valleys | All Whites | ||||||
| 2007 | Valleys | |||||||
| 2008 | Valleys | |||||||
| 2009 | Valleys |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Valleys | |||||||
| 2011 | Valleys | |||||||
| 2012 | Brothers | |||||||
| 2013 | Gatton | |||||||
| 2014 | Wattles | |||||||
| 2015 | Wattles | |||||||
| 2016 | Pittsworth | |||||||
| 2017 | Dalby | |||||||
| 2018 | Valleys | Souths | ||||||
| 2019 | Valleys | Dalby |
| Year | A Grade | Reserve Grade | Second Division | Under 19 | Under 18 | Under 17 | Under 16 | Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | COVID-19 | COVID-19 | COVID-19 | COVID-19 | COVID-19 | COVID-19 | COVID-19 | COVID-19 |
Trail Blazers
| Bob Meibusch | The Founder of the TRL |
| Sam Parker | The first TRL player to represent Queensland |
| Edwin Stanley Brown | The first TRL player to represent Australia |
| Kevin “Dick” Rose | The first indigenous captain of the Clydesdales |
| Melissa “Milly” Edwards | The first female player to represent Queensland and Australia |
Icons
| Duncan Thompson |
| Tom Gorman |
| Duncan Hall |
| John McDonald |
Hall of Fame
| Era | Name | Club |
| 1920s | Herb Steinohrt | Valleys |
| 1930s | Peter “Mick” Madsen | All Whites |
| 1940s | Pat McMahon | Souths/All Whites |
| 1950s | Des McGovern | All Whites |
| 1960s | John Gleeson | All Whites |
| 1970s | Greg Platz | Wattles |
| 1980s | Rohan Hancock | Wattles |
| 1990s | Shane Webcke | Wattles |
| 2000s | Steve Price | Newtown |
| 2010s | Johnathan Thurston | All Whites |
Life Members
G.W. Allen (Dec.) |
Robert Bateman (Dec.) |
| Len Bentley (Dec.) |
| Clive Berghofer AM |
| H. Boshammer (Dec.) |
| Kevin Boshammer (Dec.) |
| E.S. Brown (Dec.) |
| Percy Brown (Dec.) |
| R. (Cam) Brown (Dec.) |
| D. Byrne (Dec.) |
| Jack Cairns (Dec.) |
| A. Cameron (Dec.) |
| Vince Carrol (Dec.) |
| Pat Coonan (Dec.) |
| Jack Currey (Dec.) |
| Noel Davis |
| Joe Doyle (Dec.) |
| Ian Doyle (Dec.) |
| Keith Doyle (Dec.) |
| Fred Gilbert (Dec.) |
| R. Hale (Dec.) |
Barry Hennessy (Dec.) |
| K. Jefferies (Dec.) |
| V. Kimmins (Dec.) |
| J. Lee (Dec.) |
| Mark Liesch |
| Alan Loxley (Dec.) |
| Mick Madsen (Dec.) |
N.G. Martin (Dec.) |
| J. McConachie (Dec.) |
Michael (Mick) Merchant |
| John McDonald AM |
| Des McGovern (Dec.) |
| A. Miebusch (Dec.) |
| Graham Mott |
| Neale Obst |
| Patrick O’Shea (Dec.) |
| Mark Philipson |
| William Pollard (Dec.) |
| R. Reardon (Dec.) |
| W. Renwick (Dec.) |
| T. Roberts (Dec.) |
| F. Russell (Dec.) |
| J. Scanlan (Dec.) |
| P. Schwilk (Dec.) |
| Gordon Sharp (Dec.) |
| Tom Smaldon |
| Gunner Smith (Dec.) |
| W.R. Smith (Dec.) |
| Judith Sparksman |
| J. Steele (Dec.) |
| Herb Steinohrt (Dec.) |
| Gary Sutton |
| Neven Tate |
| L. Taylor (Dec.) |
| Duncan Thompson (Dec.) |
| V. Vercoe (Dec.) |
| F. Weidman (Dec.) |
Eric Williams (Dec.) |
| L.A. Wood (Dec.) |
