The Country Rugby League (CRL) was formed on this day (January 27) in 1934, marking a significant milestone for the greatest game of all in regional NSW.
The CRL has had a storied history in that time. After its formation, the first Country side to play under the CRL banner defeated City.
In what was a landmark occasion for both the CRL and NSWRL in October 2019, the two organisations came together as one entity, unifying the administration of Rugby League throughout the state for the first time.
Several originally CRL-administered competitions are currently played across NSW, including Groups 1 to 20 spanning from the South Coast through Central West to the Newcastle Hunter region and Northern Rivers, the SLE Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups, and the Men’s and Women’s Country Championships.
A number of the successful 2021 Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues squad are products of regional rugby league in NSW, such as Latrell Mitchell, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Jack Wighton, Damien Cook, Tariq Sims, Dale Finucane, Daniel Saifiti, Angus Crichton and Payne Haas.
While the CRL as an organisation no longer exists, its place in the history of Rugby League in NSW will always be remembered and honoured.
