Illawarra Steelers

The Illawarra Steelers were the first expansion team in the NSWRL, which later became the ARL and NRL competitions. Illawarra had attempted to enter the "big time" in the 1950s and 1960s, but due to Country Rugby League constitution arrangements, were blocked. In 1980 an Illawarra committee made the case for the future of the game in the region to be safe it needed to field a team in the Sydney competition. On the 13th of December, 1980, the NSWRL admitted Illawarra as the 13th team for season 1982, with Canberra later admitted as team number 14.

The Steelers battled through the financial difficulties of the 1980s before becoming a credible force in the 1990s, finishing in the top half of the competition consistently and finishing 3rd in 1992. Sadly, 1995 saw the outbreak of the Super League war and the Steelers future existence, along with other loyal ARL clubs, was up in the air. In late 1998 the Illawarra Steelers and St George Dragons formed the first rugby league joint venture.