As the NRL Grand Final approaches this Sunday 5 October, here’s some campus trivia: the University of Sydney once played first‑grade rugby league, and, in 1926, our student team made the premiership decider, finishing runners‑up to South Sydney.
From campus to first grade
The Sydney University Rugby League Football Club (SURLFC) was founded in 1920 by law student Herbert Vere “Doc” Evatt, who later became a High Court judge and President of the UN General Assembly. Rugby league itself was still young, having split from rugby union in 1907–08 over player payments. On campus, rugby union was the established powerhouse, with the Sydney University Football Club, founded in 1863, still a dominant force today.
From day one, SURLFC stood apart: while other rugby league clubs paid players, our University fielded amateur sides made up entirely of students balancing lectures and labs with weekend matches.
Sydney University Rugby League Football Club founder Herbert Vere Evatt (left) in May 1945 discussing the text of the proposal with UK Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden. Photo: United Nations
50
automatic
Link1926: into the decider
In 1926, determination and team spirit took our student team all the way to the New South Wales Rugby Football League (the precursor to today's NRL) grand final at the Sydney Showground, where around 20,000 fans watched South Sydney edge out University 11–5. It remains SURLFC’s best top‑flight finish.
A lasting contribution
SURLFC competed in first grade until 1937, producing two Kangaroos – Ray Morris and Jim Craig – and 12 NSW representatives along the way. While success was rare beyond 1926, their persistence – competing as unpaid students against professional clubs, carved out a unique place in Australian rugby league history as an amateur, student‑led side in a professional competition.
Though Sydney University (centre, light hooped jersey) didn't see much success, they still made their mark on the competition. Photo: SSR Almanac
25
automatic
Link