Tweed Heads Seagulls

Tweed Heads Seagulls
Club information
Full name Tweed Heads Seagulls Rugby League Football Club Ltd.
Nickname(s) The Seagulls
Website tweedheadsseagulls.com.au
Colours      Black
     White
Founded 1909
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Ned Byrne Field, Kingcliff
CEO(s) Terry Keen
Coach(s) Ben Anderson
Competition Queensland Cup
2010 9th
Current season
Records
Premierships 1 (2007)
Runners-up 1 (2011)
Minor premiership 1 (2011)
Most points 1066 - Brad Davis
Logo circa 2003

The Tweed Heads Seagulls, often referred to simply as Tweed or Seagulls, is a rugby league club based in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, and is the only non-Queensland team to play in the Queensland Cup.

History

Union beginnings

Tweed Heads Seagulls was established in 1908 and began competing in the Tweed District Rugby Union competition in 1909.[1] The Seagulls played their home games at Tweed Heads Recreation Ground. Coach Mick McGrath decided to name the team the Tweed Heads Seagulls. The club claimed their first rugby union premiership in 1912 and went back-to-back in 1913.

Switch to league

In 1914, the Seagulls, along with the other union clubs in the Tweed district, switched to the professional rugby league code and formed the Tweed District Rugby League competition after growing dissatisfaction with the union. The Seagulls won their first rugby league premiership in 1922. The Seagulls also claimed premierships in 1939, 1940 and 1951.

In December 1985 the club purchased 40 acres of land on Piggabeen Road and began constructing a sporting complex and leagues club.

Entry into the NSWRL

In 1990 the Seagulls Leagues club bought out the New South Wales Rugby League license for the Gold Coast-Tweed Giants, and renamed the club the Gold Coast Seagulls, although it continued to play its home games in the New South Wales town of Tweed Heads. The club played their home games at Seagulls Stadium. In 1990, the Seagulls pulled off a major coup when they signed future Rugby League Immortal Wally Lewis. In 1995 the club sold its license to businessmen Jeff Muller, who changed the club's name to Gold Coast Gladiators.

Relegation to Gold Coast Group 18

The Tweed Heads Seagulls joined the Gold Coast Group 18 Rugby League competition in 1996.

Entry into the Queensland Cup

The Seagulls applied to join the Queensland Cup in 2002 but were unsuccessful in their application. The collapse of the Logan City Scorpions at the end of 2002 allowed the Seagulls to gain entry into the competition for the 2003 season. In 2006 Tweed Heads successfully entered the FOGS Cup and FOGS Colts Challenge.

The Seagulls picked up their first Queensland Cup premiership in 2007 after a 28-18 victory over the Redcliffe Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium. The Seagulls serve as a feeder club for the NRL's Gold Coast Titans and are seen as an important part of the game's growth in the Northern Rivers region.

Crest and colours

The Tweed jersey is traditionally black and white butcher stripes, similar in design to that of Past Brothers. The Gold Coast Seagulls initially played in a similar jersey, with the addition of two red lines horizontally through each wide black stripe on the jersey.

Home ground

Tweed Heads originally played out of Seagulls Stadium on Gollan Drive, West Tweed Heads. However due to financial trouble, the club sold the ground in the late 1990s and the stadium was demolished. Currently, Tweed play their Queensland Cup games nearby at the Piggabeen Sports Complex.

Notable Juniors

Notable First Grade Players that have played at Tweed Heads Seagulls include:

Honours

References

External links