All Saints/Toongabbie Tigers Merge as One Club to be
All Saints Toongabbie Tigers JRLFC
"Many thought that a merger between one of the oldest clubs in the district and the youngest club in the district could not work - one club steeped in tradition the other with boundless enthusiasm.
The Toongabbie club was founded in 1928 and had teams representing it in every season since, but sadly had dropped to only three teams in season 2005 The All Saints club was founded in 1998 with just one team, and grew to have nine teams by 2005. All Saints had no real geographic location and a substandard game day venue at Redbank (great for training though). These two clubs came together with a common goal to continue to promote Rugby League in the local area, the development and to provide opportunity for our children and to continue the growth of Rugby League in our community.
It all started in mid-2005 at the Guildford Rugby Leagues Club after a District Junior League meeting, advisory board member Brian "Ginger" Reardon approached the All Saints Secretary Ric Brennan with the suggestion that perhaps a merger with the Toongabbie Club would be helpful to both clubs.
A short discussion with the secretary of the Toongabbie club Dick Kendall ensued after which Ric approached other members of the All Saints club with the proposed idea.
Both clubs put the idea to a meeting of their respective committees and the proposal of a merger was agreed to, representatives then meet with the Terry Rose CEO of the PDJRLFC (the governing body) for permission to merge and form a new club.
The Junior League Board agreed to the merger, now the hard work began to win the hearts and minds of the mums and dads of the players and the supporters.
An open meeting was held at the Northmead Bowling Club for the All Saints club where the pros and cons of the proposed merger were discussed by meetings end a decision to merge was accepted, similar discussions were held by the Toongabbie club with the same decision taken. It should be noted many from both camps didn't believe it would work and some cut ties and walked away but the larger part stayed offering much needed support.
Much work behind the scenes was required, choice of name, choice of colours, choice of playing strip and securing of sponsorships.
At the PDJRLFC AGM the new playing strip and new club logo were unveiled and the All Saints Toongabbie Tigers JRLFC was incorporated on the 1st November 2005 (All Saints Day).
Season 2006 saw the new club surpass all expectations Fielding 16 teams and securing 3 Premierships.
The story doesn't finish there the club is still growing fielding up to 21 teams, one of the largest in the district, developing a number of NRL players, club coaches that have gone on to coach senior and representative teams. It has a strong base of willing parents and friends and at its core are the same principles, to develop our great game and develop a sense of community in the children who play for our club.
"The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts"
Life Members
2007 Dave Pinder
Butcher Kennedy
Stooner Kennedy
2014 Bill Holden
Howard Jennings
Stephen Carmichael
2015 Todd McKeown
Rick Brennan
Frances Brookes
Brad Ashmore
10 Year Players (AST Tigers)
Jai Treadwell Mark Philp Ryan Mitchell Luke Douglas
2006 - 16 Teams Premiers (3)
2007 - 14 Teams
2008 - 12 Teams
2009 - 17 Teams Premiers (2)
2010 - 16 Teams Premiers (3)
2011 – 15 Teams Premiers (3)
2012 – 16 Teams Premiers (2)
2013 - 19 Teams
2014 - 21 Teams Premiers (1)
2015 - 17 Teams (3)
"I played for a number of clubs in my 20 years in rugby league but only at All Saints Toongabbie did I feel part of something that was more than just a football team.
First with the Rebels, then with the Tigers, I felt that I was part of the club, not just the team. The club made the players feel like they were part of a family. That's why we won games we probably never expected to win.
That's why we always played above our weight. Even when we lost, the other team always left the field well aware they were in a battle. The culture at the club was nothing I'd experienced at other clubs.
The best days at school were those when I had training to look forward to. The best part of the weekend was waking up knowing it was game day.
The All Saints Toongabbie Tigers were such a big part of my life and those memories will live with me forever." – Michael Chammas
"I started playing for Toongabbie back in 1984 my last year with this club was 2001 in this time we won four grand finals and I made a lot of mates that I still have to this day and I still see two familiar faces after all these years Peter Tracey & Annie Murray. Finally after two daughters I had a son who with no doubt was always going to play for Toongabbie the club that I grew up with and the passion I had for this club I wanted the same for my son now, I enjoy being part of this club and over the past four years I have assist in being a coach and trainer and I love it, for people that know me if I could I would put on a jersey and get back out on the field but instead I had to settle for a fluro trainers vest to be involved but I love it and I hope my son continues on at this club and makes his own memories like I am a - Tigers for Life!" – Ian Whiteside
Premiers
2006 – Under 13's (2) Under 14's (1) Under 15's (2)
2009 – Under 8's (3) Under 10's (4)
2010 Under 12's (2) A Grade (3) Girls Team Under 19's
2011 Under12's (3) Under 16's (2) C Grade Division 2
2012 Under16's (1:Tier B) A Grade Divison 2
2014 A Grade Division 1
2015 Under 11 (4) Under 13 (2) Under 14's (4)
All Saints Toongabbie Tigers Honour Roll
Mitchell Moses
Nathan Milone
Jorge Taufua
Jacob Loco
David Klemmer
Dominic Reardon
Sam Gorman