Oh what a night! Last Thursday, we celebrated the end of the 2023 season at The Glasshouse Artarmon and acknowledged our award winners from both on and off the field. Bringing together both of our senior teams, Knock On Effect NSW Cup and the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership for a night of great food, Bear Park Brews and banter.

2023 was a very successful year for the Bears with both our senior men’s and women’s teams winning the Minor Premiership Shields. This in itself is no easy feat and one that as a club we are very proud of. Our HNWP team went on to play in the final’s series, unfortunately being knocked out by Mounties in the semi-final by only one conversion difference.

Our Knock On Effect NSW Cup team secured the minor premiership with two rounds remaining in the regular season, a massive effort from a team of mostly part-time players. The team went on to lose the major semifinal to the Rabbitohs but defeat the Warriors in the elimination preliminary final and progress on to the Grand Final. This was our first Grand Final appearance since 2007 and something that we are very proud to have achieved. Going head-to-head with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium, it was an epic battle on field as 10,000 fans watched on from the venue and thousands more tuned in to the live stream. Heartbreakingly, the team lost their lead with only five minutes to go and went down 18 – 22 to the Rabbitohs. A heartbreaking loss yes but a triumph for both the team and the club at the same time, a moment in our history to be proud of.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s award winners.