Corrimal Cougars

The Corrimal Cougars were established in 1912 with the help from local miners. Traditionally the club has a working class history that has overcome many obstacles to provide an opportunity for local children and adults to enjoy Rugby League.

The Corrimal team is represented by a Cougar, and their emblem displays this creature in front of a red background in the shape of football. The name "Cougars" was chosen following a competition involving local school children. Robyn Fletcher of East Corrimal Public School was the winner. Underneath the name is the inscription "Est. 1912". Their colours are Green and Red.

The Cougars play out of Ziems Park, Corrimal.

Ziems park was officially opened as the home ground of the Corrimal Cougars Rugby League Club on Saturday 14 April 1934. With Corrimal defeating Thirroul 5–0 for the Grant Gup, the Grant Cup was donated by Corrimal Hotel publican John Grant for the occasion.

The Ziems family originally own the land and used it as an abattoir for their local butcher shop but in the early 1930 Arthur Ziems, spoke to members of his family about donating the land to the rugby league club. The family agreed on condition that the club fence of the land to be used for rugby league.

In 1970 the ground underwent major improvements including the banks around the main oval with the help of the South Bulli Mine's community relation project to become regarded as one of the best grounds in the Illawarra district.

The Corrimal Cougars have won two First Grade Premierships (1948, 1974)

1948 – A Season to Remember

Winning the first grade premiership in 1948, really established the Cougars as a powerful and successful part of the Illawarra Rugby League. They had come close in past seasons, but this was the icing on the cake.

Many new players joined the ’Red and Green’ at the beginning of the season. These included Ron Street from Warren, Jack Clare from Balmain and Harry Jardine from Wests. Bill ‘Dookie’ Burns was named First grade coach.

After a slow start the season two more important signing were completed before the third round, these players were Centre/Winger Arthur Clifford from Newtown and goal Kicking fullback Frank Bonner from South Sydney. Bonner had played 24 first grade games for the Bunnies in three seasons and Clifford had scored 5 tries in 6 top grade matches with the Jets.

At the end of the season the Cougars had played 18 matches, won 11, drew 1 and lost 6 including winning the fourth place playoff (10–4 v Thirroul), Semi-final (11–4 v Wollongong), Final (17–2 v Port Kembla) and Grand Final (22–7 v Port Kembla) in an amazing run to the Premiership from fifth place.

The Corrimal Cougars Grand Final Team was 1. Frank Booner 2. Arthur Clifford 3. Bill Kimbrey 4. Len Hickey 5. Norm Jarvis 6. Bob Bignell 7. Jack Clare (capt.) 8. Charlie Lacey 9. Les Murphy 10. Dale Schnieder 11. Jack Purdie 12. Ron Street 13. Andy Gallagher.

1974 – A long time between drinks

A second First Grade Premiership came to Corrimal during the Seventies when the Cougars were once again one of the Illawarra's top clubs. The 1974 First Grade Premiership capped of a great era for the Corrimal Club which also included 3 Reserve Grade Premierships (1971,1973,1975) and 3 Third Grade Premierships (1971,1974,1978).

Led by Former New Zealand Test Prop, Oscar Danielson as Captain Coach, the Cougars First Grade played 19 games Won 13, Lost 6. Including winning the Grand Final (22–8 v Wollongong) in front of an estimated 15000 strong crowd.

The Grand Final Team was 1. Kerry Burke 2. Grant Vickers 3. John Delaney 4. Ron Loomes 5. Les Dennis 6. John Bonham 7. John Mcdonald 8. Neil Gilmore 9. Wayne Purdie 10. Ken Tompson 11. Graham Ernst 12. Oscar Danielson (Capt) 13. Brian Milthorpe. With John Jansen and Russ Amatto coming of the bench.

'A long Time Between Drinks 1912–2012' by Barry Ross.

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