User:Gibbo Aus/Emu Plains JRLFC

The Emu Plains JRLFC is a Rugby League club in the Penrith District. The club fields both Junior and Senior teams with players starting as early as 4 years old. The club colours are red, white and blue.

History
Although officialy formed in 1967, the club was around as early as 1912. The first evidence of rugby league in Penrith comes from newspaper reports in April 1912 of a match between ‘Glenbrook Rovers' and a combined ‘Penrith and Emus' team at the Penrith Showground. Known as the Emu Wanderers, they joined the Western Districts Junior League. It included teams from Parramatta, Auburn and Lidcombe. In 1913, the Western Districts entered a team in the Presidents Cup competition. The majority of the team was made up of players from Emu Plains and Penrith, the first time players from the district competed in a competition run by the New South Wales Rugby League. By the 1920's, the Western Districts League had a sub-office in Blacktown and the competition included teams from Auburn, Lidcombe, a number around Parramatta, Wentworthville, St. Marys, Blacktown, Riverstone, Windsor, Emu Plains and Penrith. The Western Districts Junior Rugby League was gaining strength, as Emu Plains took A and B grade teams to Riverstone where they won 47-0 and 5-0 respectively. In 1927 Emu Plains decided to field a private team in the Blue Mountains competition - under the banner of "Emu Gravel Company". "They were big buggers, tough as bags" said Jack Lack.

Modern Day
The club prides itself on its family values providing a solid platform for its on-field successes. With more than 30 teams from Under 6's through to A Grade, the club is one of few in the area that accepts four year olds. Emu Plains has a very competitive rivalry with Penrith Brothers. The rivalry is born from the close distance the two clubs are located in. The Emu club has had varied success, with teams in the finals most years, and the Emu Plains A Grade team defeating St Mary's Saints to win the 1st Division A Grade competition in 2009.

Colour Origins
Emu Plains' colours were originaly blue and white and because of this they were commonly known as the Emu Blues. By the 1960's, there were multiple teams in blue and white, including Newtown, Canterbury and a number of Junior League clubs such as the Penrith Warratahs. So Emu added red to their uniform, and this is the tri-colour the club has today.

Notable People
Emu Plains JRLFC has produced multiple top grade NRL players. Luke Rooney, Trent Waterhouse, Tolsen Tollet, Andrew Ryan, , Shane Rodney and Hilton Sheens (cousin of George Sheens, grandfather of Tim Sheens) can all claim an Emu Plains JRLFC origin. Former players that have coached/trained a side at Emu Plains include Chris Levy, Barry Walker, Colin van der Voort, and Peter Kelly. Also "Bluff" Colless, relative of former Penrith Mayor Alfred Colless is thought to have been linked with Emu Plains.