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Kyogle Turkeys Rugby League Club is an Australian rugby league football club based in Kyogle, New South Wales in the Northern Rivers. They field both senior teams that compete in the Northern Rivers Rugby League competition and junior sides in the Group One competition.
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kyogle Turkeys Senior Rugby League Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | Turks |
| Colours | Red White Navy Blue |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/Kyogleturkeys?mibextid=LQQJ4d |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| Coach | Michael Woods[1] |
| Manager | Brett Slater |
| Captain | Jai Slater |
| Competition | Northern Rivers Rugby League |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 2 (1971, 1983) |
| Runners-up | 3 (1972, 1987, 1990) |
| Minor premierships | 1 (1971) |
| Wooden spoons | 4 (1976, 2022, 2023, 2024) |
History
editAlthough the Kyogle rugby league club was established in 1960, the sport had been played in the region for decades prior. Representative teams from Kyogle played various friendlies and cup matches against teams representing other nearby districts. The Turkeys competed in the Richmond League from 1960 until the competition's merger with the Clarence League to form the Group 1 Rugby League in 1966.[2]
The club's emblem comes from the Bundjalung name for the area, with Kyogle derived from "kaiou gal", meaning "place of the brush turkey".[3]
Kyogle claimed their first title under the guidance of captain-coach Peter Tonkin in 1971, winning the minor premiership before defeating the Lower Clarence Magpies 14-9 in the grand final.[4]
They reached the grand final again the following year, however were beaten 19-6 in the grand final by the South Grafton Rebels.
Also in 1972, they set a record for the biggest winning margin in Country Rugby League, defeating Woodburn 141-3 in Kyogle, with halfback Peter McKenna scoring 78 points on his own.[5]
With captain-coach Brian Purtell as captain-coach, the Turkeys claimed their second premiership in 1983, earning the right to host the grand final after defeating minor premiers Lower Clarence 24-23 in the major semi final before beating the Magpies again in the grand final, 14-12.[6]
Further grand final appearances followed in 1987 and 1990, however they were beaten 22-6 by Lismore Marist Brothers and 38-29 by Casino respectively.
Despite regular semi final appearances, the Turkeys haven't returned to a grand final since 1990. The club has won multiple under 18s premierships, including 2005, 2014 and 2015.
Since 2015 the club has struggled due to changing demographics within the town and a reduction in local juniors. As a result, they have regularly finished near the bottom of the table, including wooden spoons in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Notable players
edit- Ken Nagas – Former Canberra Raiders (1992–2002) player.
- Nigel Roy – Former Illawarra Steelers (1993–94), North Sydney Bears (1995–99), Northern Eagles (2000) & London Broncos (2001–04) player.
- Will Matthews – Former Gold Coast Titans (2008–11, 2018–19) & St George Illawarra Dragons (2012–2017) player.
- Shannon Walker – Former Gold Coast Titans (2008–10) & Australia Rugby 7's (2012–2017) player.
- Jone Macilai – Former Fiji Bati (2008–09) player.
- David Grant – Former Canberra Raiders (1982–85) captain and Balmain Tigers (1978–81), Eastern Suburbs Roosters (1977) & South Sydney Rabbitohs (1976) player.
Notable current / former Queensland Cup Players:
- Alex Farrell – Mackay Cutters player.
- Sam Saville – Tweed Heads Seagulls player.
- Blake Anderson – Tweed Heads Seagulls player.
Premierships
edit- First grade: 1971, 1983
- Reserve grade: 1987
- Under 18's: 2005, 2014, 2015
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Turkeys turn to Michael Woods". 9 December 2020.[dead link]
- ^ Craig, Mitchell (27 October 2010). "Turkeys celebrate 50 years". Northern Star. Lismore. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ Campton, Nick (14 November 2023). "From Guyra Super Spuds to Kyogle Turkeys, these are the stories behind the strangest mascots in country footy". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Commission. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ Attewell, Paul (2 September 2010). "Kyogle RLFC reunion to attract 500". Northern Star. Lismore. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ Spinks, Steve (28 July 2011). "Kyogle score is still benchmark". Northern Star. Lismore. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ Elley, Sam (8 June 2023). "40th anniversary of Turkeys great grand final". issuu. The Northern Rivers Times. Retrieved 8 December 2024.