Our Mission

The North Tamworth Bears were formed in 1911 and were first known as the Rebels until 1947. They played their first game at No.1 Oval at 4:10pm on 22 July 1911, which was also the first rugby league match ever played in Tamworth. The team was made up of almost the entire first-grade North Tamworth Rugby Union side, who switched codes. As the Rebels, they played in 14 grand finals between 1911 and 1947, winning seven.

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From 1947 to 1955 the club was known as the Tri-colours, competing in four grand finals and winning three.

In 1951 the club won the Clayton Cup, awarded to the most successful country rugby league team.

In 1956 the name was changed to the Bears, which remains today.

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Between 1965 and 1967 the Bears established their own oval and facilities on Manilla Road. In 1985 the ground was named Jack Woolaston Oval in honour of founding President Jack Woolaston.

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During the 1980s the Bears played in two grand finals, winning in 1980 and finishing runners-up in 1984. The first-grade team made the grand final three consecutive years in 2001, 2002 and 2003, but were defeated on each occasion.

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In 2005 the Bears won the Northern Division pre-season club championship, the first-grade major premiership, the minor premiership and the pre-season Knockout. Additionally, Reserve Grade and Under 18s won their minor premierships and both reached their grand finals.

In 2006 the first-grade team again won the Northern Division pre-season club championship, the Easter Knockout, went undefeated throughout the regular season, and claimed a second consecutive premiership against the Coonabarabran Unicorns at Jack Woolaston Oval. Reserve Grade also won the premiership.

The Bears continued their success with premiership wins in 2007 and 2008.

The club again surged in the 2010s, winning the first-grade premiership in 2014 against the Gunnedah Bulldogs, earning the Clayton Cup for the first time since 1951. Further premierships followed in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, & 2023 and another Clayton Cup victory in 2019.

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North Tamworth Bears RLFC has over 110 years of history in the Tamworth region. The Bears proudly call Jack Woolaston Oval, Peel Street, home. Formed in 1911, just three years after Rugby League arrived in New South Wales, the club stands as one of the oldest in the state. The Bears compete in the Group 4 Rugby League competition, administered by the NSW Rugby League.

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We pride ourselves on being one of the strongest Rugby League clubs in the region and are committed to providing opportunities for local men and women to play rugby league and league tag. Our mission is to build and maintain a strong connection between the club and our community.

The club now proudly fields five competitive grades:

• First Grade

• Reserve Grade

• Under 18s

• Ladies League Tag

• Women’s Tackle

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Each team continues to strengthen the club’s legacy, with our senior sides consistently performing at a high level and our junior and women’s programs growing every year.

North Tamworth Bears RLFC is widely supported throughout the local community and offers valuable exposure for our partners, providing strong brand visibility through game days, social media, our website, and local media engagement. We continue to grow both on and off the field, driving community involvement and promoting the proud traditions of our club.