Skilful Cub to NRL Spearhead 2016 107th Annual Report Contents Chairman’s Report | 04 Aaron Woods | 05 Office Bearers 1908-2015 | 06 Balmain Junior League Board of Directors | 07 General Manager's Report | 08 Major Sponsors | 10 2015 District Rep. Secretary's Report | 12 NRL Game Development Report | 13 John Chalk | 15 Events | 16 Tigers Annual Awards Night | 20 Where your Chris Karas at the Balmain Junior League Grand Finals | 27 - Under 9 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 9 Div 2 Grand Final - Under 9 Div 3 Grand Final - Under 10 Div 1 Grand Final Loved one - Under 10 Div 2 Grand Final - Under 10 Div 2 Cougars Girls goes from your - Under 11 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 11 Div 2 Grand Final - Under 12 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 12 Div 2 Grand Final - Under 13 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 14 Div 1 Grand Final Family - Under 16 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 16 Div 2 Grand Final to ours Accredited Events | 41 Tributes | 47 Online Funeral Quote please visit www.mannings.com.au or phone (02) 9555 7551 2016 107th Annual Report 03 Contents Chairman’s Report | 04 Aaron Woods | 05 Office Bearers 1908-2015 | 06 Balmain Junior League Board of Directors | 07 General Manager's Report | 08 Major Sponsors | 10 2015 District Rep. Secretary's Report | 12 NRL Game Development Report | 13 John Chalk | 15 Events | 16 Tigers Annual Awards Night | 20 Where your Chris Karas at the Balmain Junior League Grand Finals | 27 - Under 9 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 9 Div 2 Grand Final - Under 9 Div 3 Grand Final - Under 10 Div 1 Grand Final Loved one - Under 10 Div 2 Grand Final - Under 10 Div 2 Cougars Girls goes from your - Under 11 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 11 Div 2 Grand Final - Under 12 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 12 Div 2 Grand Final - Under 13 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 14 Div 1 Grand Final Family - Under 16 Div 1 Grand Final - Under 16 Div 2 Grand Final to ours Accredited Events | 41 Tributes | 47 Online Funeral Quote please visit www.mannings.com.au or phone (02) 9555 7551 2016 107th Annual Report 03 Chairman’s Report LUKE BROOKS As we finalise our BDJRL books to wrap up the 2016 season I can Each season brings with it some Skilful cub to NRL spearhead truly say that much was achieved. Once again our season results difficult challenges and this By CHRIS KARAS were achieved through the dedication of General Manager Jennie season was no exception. More Webster, our Board and the band of club volunteers who work often than not it is with adults tirelessly week after week for the love of the sport. Those and not the kids, however, volunteers covered functions, training, ground setting, canteens, thank goodness we have a training courses and fund raising. National Code of Conduct to guide us along the way not Much of this time is away from the family home so therefore the forgetting that we are all whole family commits. volunteers. It is a well-known fact that to survive year after year it would not Plans for 2017 are well underway and all indications are that our be possible without the generous support of our many sponsors team numbers will be boosted with a request from Sydney who I am sure Jennie will outline in her report. Roosters to join our competition. We could possibly see another Our team numbers remained steady at 121 ranging from U/6s fourteen teams come across ranging from U/9s to U/12s. through to A Grade. Four of our teams made it to the Grand Final In finishing I would like to express our gratitude for all of the of the Sydney Combined Competition which was a great support provided by Elias Nassar from painAWAY Australia, Sydney achievement. Markets, Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club, Balmain Tigers, Patron Mick Our Balmain Grand Finals were run over two days with the mod Manning, Lyn Phillis, the Balmain Referees Association and Wests games on Saturday and seniors on Sunday. I am sure those who Tigers. attended would agree, we witnessed some exciting junior rugby Next to our kids, I would have to say that Jennie Webster is our league and we could not have asked for better weather. greatest asset and due to her professional performance Our Balmain Junior League was once again strongly supported at throughout the season we are once again in a healthy financial the Sportsman's Lunch as we cruised on Sydney Harbour, we also situation. FROM the age of five, Wests Tigers' skilful playmaker Luke Brooks The rookie half produced a crafty performance - nabbing a try, two had a strong club attendance at our yearly Presentation night at Thanks to everyone for your support of our Junior League was destined to play in the National Rugby League. try assists and controlling the attack in the Tigers' 34-18 triumph Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club in September. over the Saints. throughout the season and we hope to see you back on the park As a promising cub in his formative years with Holy Cross Rhinos Our 2016 season was slightly affected by the weather but overall in 2017. and Leichhardt Wanderers, the gifted Brooks stamped himself as a Legendary Western Suburbs and Kangaroos half back Arthur we managed to get most rounds played. special young talent. Summons presented Brooks with his first grade jumper - a gesture that left the Tigers' rookie beaming with pride. Congratulations to all of our juniors who trained hard, played hard Running around in the Balmain Junior League Mini and Mod and persevered throughout the year. Some made it to the Football ranks, his natural ability was evident as he did the Rhinos Cool hand Luke described playing alongside one of his childhood development squad as well as the junior rep squads. To those who proud with dashing performances in the maroon and gold jumper. heroes in Benji Marshall as a "dream come true." missed out - don't give up, work harder and follow your dream. By the same token it is important to have a good "life balance". Thirteen years ago as an 8 year old pocket dynamo he left his mark How did the quietly-spoken Brooks prepare for his top grade at the 2003 Balmain Junior League Grand Finals at Leichhardt Oval. debut on the eve of the SCG clash? Throughout the season it was always my aim to strengthen the John Critchley Sporting pundits jotted down Brooks' name after he guided Holy Luke turned up to Morrison Park Putney to give some coaching connection with all of our stake holders be it the junior clubs, Chairman sponsors, supporters and the wider community. Cross to a premiership victory over Leichhardt Juniors in the U/9s tips to the Holy Cross U/12 Div 1 side that contested the Balmain Balmain District Junior Rugby League Grand Final with a best-on-ground performance. Junior League Grand Final against eventual premiers Strathfield Raiders. Those at the ground marvelled at Luke's sharp turn of speed, vision, attacking skills and no-nonsense defence with officials The Tigers' golden boy put the young Rhinos through their paces - predicting a bright future for the talented cub. much to the delight of the players and coaching panel of Allan 'AJ' Jarvis, Rod Farlow and Glen Smith. In years to come, the fresh-faced Brooks would spearhead the Rhinos to more premierships in U/10s, U/11s, U/12s and U/14s And that best sums up the Wests Tigers' half – a dedicated before linking with Leichhardt Wanderers and bagging a sportsman who enjoys giving something back to grassroots rugby premiership double in the Combined Inner City U/15s and U/16s league whenever possible. competitions. In his spare time Luke can be found mentoring young footballers Brooks overcame crippling leg injuries to make an impact with in the Balmain district on the fundamentals of the game. Balmain's Harold Matthews Cup sides and the Tigers' 2012 S.G Ball He is only too happy to help prepare the next generation of Junior Cup premiership-winning team that were also crowned National League talent for the rigours of club and junior representative U/18 Champions. football. He teamed with another golden cub in five eighth Mitchell Moses Now saddling up for his fourth season in the NRL, a much wiser with the duo engineering an S.G Ball championship before starring Luke is ready to fulfil the promise he showed as a fresh-faced for the Australian Schoolboys in Test wins over the British teenager. Schoolboys Academy and later joining the Wests Tigers NRL squad. Having earned the Dally M Rookie of the Year and Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) Rookie of the Year Awards in 2014, Luke League fans watched the young maestro produce smart displays is searching for consistency in 2017 after serving his top grade for the Tigers in the Holden Cup U/20s and NSW Cup in 2013 to apprenticeship in the world's toughest league arena. push his claims for a top grade berth. Brooks and Moses form part of one of the game's most exciting Luke was rewarded for his skilful efforts with selection in the NSW backlines along with superstar fullback James Tedesco and U/20s team that defeated Queensland in the Junior State of Origin powerful winger David Nofoaluma. challenge at Centrebet Stadium. With over 70 first grade appearances under his belt with the Tigers, Brooks - now regarded as one of the game's most promising half the classy number seven can hold his own against the likes of all backs – made a spectacular NRL first grade debut for the Tigers in time great Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Mitchell Pearce and 2013 against St George-Illawarra on the hallowed SCG turf.