Rugby league in the Australian Capital Territory

Rugby league is one of the most popular codes of football in the Australian Capital Territory. The Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League became the Territory's first professional sports team when they were established in 1982. For decades before that rugby league clubs in the area had been competing and providing footballers for representative sides that played against domestic and foreign teams.

Rugby league in the Australian Capital Territory
Governing bodyNew South Wales Country Rugby League
Representative teamAustralian Capital Territory
Registered players3,962 (2007)[1]
Clubs9
Club competitions
Audience records
Single match26,476 (17 September 2010). NRL Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers (Canberra Stadium, Canberra)

Governing body
Main article: New South Wales Rugby League

The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

National Rugby League Teams
Main article: National Rugby League

The National Rugby League (NRL) is Australia's top-level competition for the sport of rugby league.[2]

The Canberra Raiders are Canberra's National Rugby League team, being admitted to the competition in 1982.

Club Location Home Ground(s) First season
Canberra Raiders Canberra GIO Stadium 1982

Canberra Rugby League
Main article: Canberra Rugby League

The Canberra Rugby League competition is more commonly known as the Canberra Raiders Cup, covering the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding New South Wales towns Queanbeyan, Goulburn and Yass. The competition is run under the auspices of the Country Rugby League and players are eligible for selection in the Monaro Division of the CRL Divisional Championships.

Representative rugby league
Main articles: Rugby League State of Origin, City vs Country Origin, and Affiliated States Championship

ACT players are eligible to represent Country in the NSWRL City vs Country Origin in an annual match against a City side selected by the NSWRL. It is played before the Rugby League State of Origin series and is often referred to as a selection trial for the New South Wales Blues team.

They can also go onto play for New South Wales Blues in the State of Origin series against Queensland Maroons.

An Australian Capital Territories representative side took part in the early Affiliated States Championship.

See also

References
  1. "Tackling a rich and powerful foe". The Canberra Times. 21 June 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2008.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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