'The Tigers are back and ready to roar into season 2021'
It is a pivotal moment for our club and women’s rugby league in the Illawarra, with our girls, for the first time in our 100+ year history, signing paying contracts to play footy. It’s history in the making and a huge tribute to all the girls and support staff who have played and served for the Lill
The official season preview! By Helensburgh Tigers club president Dorian ‘Dodge’ Cobb and the club’s football manager Gav Lennon
The Tigers are back and ready to roar into season 2021. After what can be best described as a successful 2020 campaign, during unprecedented times, the Tigers and Tigerlillies are ramping things up as season 2021 fast approaches.
Our mighty Tigerlillies have turned their attention to a much bigger prize after winning the Illawarra competition last year. This year, we will compete in the NSWRL Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership featuring clubs, such as the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cronulla Sharks, North Sydney Bears, Wests Tigers and other powerhouse clubs. The Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership is the Premier women’s competition in the state, focused on preparing elite players for the National stage.
It is a pivotal moment for our club and women’s rugby league in the Illawarra, with our girls, for the first time in our 100+ year history, signing paying contracts to play footy. It’s history in the making and a huge tribute to all the girls and support staff who have played and served for the Lillies over the past 10 years, who have paved the way for the current crop of women.
Particular congratulations go to the three remaining members of the original squad: Sam Bremner, Erin Blackwell and the returning Georgie Brooker.
We’re excited to announce the return of Jillaroo’s representatives Jess Sergis and Kezie Apps, who will be joined by an influx of new talent from across the Illawarra and beyond.
We look forward to the campaign kicking off with a trial against the West Tigers less than four weeks away [at time of writing in mid-January].
Our men will compete in the Illawarra’s 1st and 2nd Division competitions this year, in what is a return to normality after playing in the Sydney Shield last season.
With Russ Aitken moving on, 2020 co-coach Gav Lennon is taking on a mentoring and managing role across all our squads as our new football manager.
The First Division team will be led by co-coaches Chris Coleman and Glenn Nelson, while Lewis Brokman will fill the big shoes of the Newman Brothers in 2nd Division.
The Tigers will be a force to be reckoned with in both competitions in 2021, with many of the local boys having gained invaluable experience in the Sydney Shield last season under Russ and Gav. We’ve been lucky enough to retain last season’s Player of the Year, Vincent Stowers, and perennial star, Kurt Atkinson, with the squad boosted by the return of Helensburgh favourite son Hayden McCrae, back from a horror leg injury two seasons ago.
League Tag is back bigger and better this season as we continue to grow in strength after a super enjoyable 2020 under coach Shane Erikson. The vibe off the back of last season is so good that we’ll field a second League Tag team this year, to be headed up by coach Shane Oldfield. Training for the Tag girls starts early February, so come along and have a run.
We are looking forward to seeing you all at Rex Jackson Oval this season, supporting all of our teams.
Show your support!
The best way to show your support for the Tigers and Tigerlillies is
to buy your 2021 Gold Membership at www.helensburghtigers.com
This entitles you to entry to all home games, along with discount bar and merchandise prices.
Go the Tigers! Go the TigerLillies!
