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JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS - WESTS TIGERS
The well documented war in 1997 between Super League (News.Ltd) and the Australian
Rugby League (ARL) resulted in a compromise that by the year 2000, the National
Rugby League (NRL) competition would
be contested by only 14
teams.
With the Wests Magpies struggling on field in the NRL competition, it was
decided by the club in the middle of 1999 that to survive the cull they would
be required
to merge
their
senior
team with another club's team. After initial talks with the Canterbury Bulldogs
failed an agreement was reached with the Balmain Tigers.
The Wests Tigers were created and first competed in the year 2000 competition.
The club also merged its playing colours from the two joint venture partners.
Black (Wests and Balmain), White (Wests) and Orange (Balmain). The team is
represented by a new Tiger logo however the club wears its heart on its sleeve,
as it is here that the Magpie logo is permanently placed.
The Wests Tigers split
their home games between the two original clubs home grounds of Campbelltown
Sports Stadium (Wests) and Leichhardt Oval (Balmain).
Even though the Wests Tigers represent the club at the highest level, it is
important to remember the Wests Magpies continue to provide a "Pathway
to Success" for local players.
Both Wests Magpies
and Balmain Tigers continue to be represented in the NSWRL competition
as stand alone entires with both clubs fielding NSW State Cup (Reserve
Grade), SG Ball (U18's) and Harold Matthews (U16's)
teams. This arrangement nurtures the local talent from both areas and provides
Wests Tigers with a greater choice of quality players.
2005 Premiers
After many years of just missing the semi-finals the Wests Tigers stunned
the Rugby League world by winning the 2005 Grand Final at a sold out Telstra
Stadium (Stadium Australia). The 30-16 win over the North Queensland Cowboys
capped of a year in which the Wests Tigers entertained fans
with their attractive style of football. The year also saw the ground record
for Campbelltown Sports Stadium smashed with a massive crowd of 20,527
turn up to cheer on their local NRL team.
2008 National Youth Competition
In 2008 every team in the National Rugby League competition is required
to field an Under 20's development side in a new National Youth Competition.
Wests Tigers will field an Under 20's team replacing both Balmain Tigers
and Wests Magpies Jersey Flegg team. The players for this team will be
sourced from both joint venture clubs and from other regions.
For more information on the Wests Tigers visit their website: www.weststigers.com.au
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