Meet the Helensburgh Tigers

The club known for its tough approach on the field – and its loveable larrikinism off the field. Club vice-president Gavin Lennon says the Tigers are ready for a massive year

The Illawarra rugby league landscape has changed dramatically for the Helensburgh Tigers heading into the 2022 season and, boy, we’re very excited about it.

After a Covid-affected 2021, with all of our teams being robbed of semi-final footy due to the season being cut short, 2022 is looking bright.

Our men return to the top-flight competition in the Illawarra, entering the eight-team Mojo Homes Cup competition, which combines the best teams from the Sutherland Shire (Cronulla-Caringbah and De La Salle) along with the six remaining Illawarra clubs (Collegians, Corrimal, Dapto, Helensburgh, Thirroul, and Western Suburbs).

The majority of our squad from our dominant 1st Division team last season are returning and, with the inclusion of some highly touted new recruits, including classy half David Farkas and experienced utility Haydn Peacock, under the tutelage of Jason Raper and Chris Coleman, we will be more than competitive as we move up in class.

Club legend Jesse Cobb takes the reins of our 1st Division team this year as Captain-Coach. His leadership on and off the field, as well as the added depth in the squad, should see 1st Division leading the way again in 2022.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we don’t have a team in the women’s tackle competition this year, but we are so proud of the former Tigerlillies – such as Sam Bremner, Kezie Apps and others – who have achieved, and are still achieving, such amazing things at Harvey Norman NSWRL Women’s Premiership and NRLW levels.

Even though our club is not fielding any tackle teams, we’re still very passionate about women’s rugby league. We have the return of our much-loved League Tag ladies, who are so entertaining to watch and great to have involved in our club.

As a club, we encourage our girls to take ownership of senior and leadership roles within our organisation and, in doing so, April Boughton and Monique Elliot have been appointed co-coaches for 2022.

If we are able to secure a few more numbers, we may once again enter a second team in the League Tag competition, which will be headed up by the extremely talented and professional Lisa Thompson.

In what is sure to be an amazing 2022 season, we can’t wait to see you all back at the Tigers’ homeground, Rex Jackson Oval, ready to enjoy the normality of the post-Covid era of rugby league.

Don’t forget to head over to helensburghtigers.com.au to purchase your Gold Membership so you can enjoy every minute of Tiger action this year!