The North Sydney Bears is an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. The club was established in 1908, making it one of the original founding members of the New South Wales Rugby Football League, and one of Australia’s first rugby league football clubs. Formed as a foundation club of the newly arrived rugby league game in 1908 and were initially known as the Shoremen. The club was formed at the North Sydney School of Arts in Mount Street on 7 February 1908.
North Sydney is based on Sydney’s Lower North Shore and our home ground has been North Sydney Oval, affectionately known as “Bear Park” since 1910. We continue to play our home games at North Sydney Oval on most Sunday afternoons between April and August. Our club colours are iconic red and black, with some white introduced during the 1990’s.
North Sydney competed throughout the 20th century in the NSWRL, ARL and NRL premiership competitions claiming two First Grade premierships, back-to-back in 1921 & 1922.
The club currently competes in the New South Wales Cup, SG Ball Cup (U19 Females), Harold Matthews Cup (U17 Females), Tarsha Gale Cup (U19 Females) and Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17 Females). The club also runs an U16 Academy squad and Development Squads in U13s, U14s and U15s.
The North Sydney District Junior Rugby League falls within the Bears catchment consisting if 8 junior league clubs: Asquith Magpies, Berowra Wallabies, Hills Hawks, Ku-ring-gai Cubs, Lane Cove Tigers, North Sydney Brothers, Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Stags and Willoughby Roos.
The Stats:
Most first grade appearances for the club
- 285, Greg Florimo (1986–1998)
- 233, Gary Larson (1987–1999)
- 211, Billy Moore (1989–1999)
- 210, Norm Strong (1949–1962)
- 193, David Fairleigh (1989–1999)
- 188, Don McKinnon (1977–1987)
- 186, Ross Warner (1963–1974)
- 176, Ken Irvine (1958–1970)
- 170, Mark Soden (1989–1999)
- 157, George Ambrum (1966–1974)
Most Tries for the club
- 171, Ken Irvine in 176 games (1958–1970)
Most Goals for the club
- 563, Jason Taylor in 147 games (1994–1999)
Most Points for the club
- 1,274, Jason Taylor (32 tries, 563 goals, 20 field goals) in 147 games (1994–1999)
Club Honours:
Premierships: (2) 1921, 1922
Runners-Up: (1) 1943
Minor Premierships: (2) 1921, 1922
Midweek Cup [as Amco Cup]: Runners-up: 1976
Reserve Grade Premierships: 1940, 1942, 1955, 1959, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993
Third Grade Premiership [and equivalent competitions]: 1937, 1945, 1946, 1959
President’s Cup: 1918, 1933
Jersey Flegg Memorial Trophy: 1998
Lennox Cup: 1949
Sevens: Runners-Up: 1996, 1997
City Cup: Winners: 1920, 1922 Runners-Up 1913, 1959
League Cup: Runners-Up: 1919
State Championship: Runners-Up: 1945
Pre-season Competition: Runners-Up: 1964, 1966, 1977
Channel 10 Challenge Cup: Winners: 1978
Intrust Super NSW Cup: Runners Up
Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Minor Premiers: 2023
Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Runners Up: 2023
Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Minor Premiers: 2022, 2023
Team Of the Century:
Australian Internationals:
- George Ambrum 1972
- Martin Bella 1986–1989
- Tom Berecry 1911–1912
- Cec Blinkhorn 1921–1922
- Albert Broomham 1909–1912
- Michael Buettner 1996
- Brian Carlson 1958–1961
- Tedda Courtney 1910
- Arch Crippin 1936
- Brett Dallas 1996
- Sid Deane 1908–1914
- Jim Devereux 1908–1909
- Peter Diversi 1954–1955
- David Fairleigh 1994–1996
- Greg Florimo 1994–1995
- Nevyl Hand 1948–1949
- Harold Horder 1920–1922
- Ben Ikin 1998
- Ken Irvine 1959–1968
- Clarrie Ives 1921–1922
- Peter Jackson 1991–1992
- Les Kiss 1986
- Gary Larson 1995–1997
- Dinny Lutge 1908–1909
- Ken McCaffery 1957
- Don McKinnon 1982
- Keith Middleton 1950
- Billy Moore 1995–1997
- Andy Morton 1908–1909
- Fred Nolan 1937–1938
- Herman Peters 1921–1922
- Tim Pickup 1972–1974
- Con Sullivan 1910–1914
- Bob Sullivan 1954
- Duncan Thompson 1919–1922
- Roy Thompson 1937–1938
- Bruce Walker 1978
- Laurie Ward 1937–1938
- Lloyd Weier 1965–1966
- Billy Wilson 1963