The Doggies Story
The Avalon Bulldogs Junior Rugby League club is a family oriented and community-based sporting club, located at the northern end of Sydney’s prestigious Northern Beaches. The club has over 60 years of heritage, commencing in the Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League in 1962.
The club is a much-loved asset to the community with a large following of passionate supporters. The junior division and touch football competition attracts 950 players annually. Home games are played at Hitchcock Park every other Saturday from April to August. And touch footy games on a Friday night are THE place to be socially for around 700 families from toddlers to grandparents between October and December.
The organization is completely committed to providing a fun and healthy environment for families to come together and get active. We follow in the NRL values of Excellence, Inclusiveness, Courage, and Teamwork. From our youngest players at four years old to the team of 100 volunteers who give hours of their time to the club for the love of the game, the commitment is impressive. In the eyes of the kids, the club is the best thing since sliced bread. They wear their training shirts proudly everywhere they go!
A Fresh Era
We have recently elected a new club president, Ian Dalgleish. Ian’s history with the club is extensive. He joined Avalon Bulldogs in 1983 as an U6 player and played straight through until 1995 when he played his last year in both the U17s and U21s teams. Ian’s parents were heavily involved with the club, both volunteering and sponsoring through Ian’s father's butcher shops whilst they were playing at the Bulldogs, with Ian’s mum being presented with “Club Person of the Year” in 1984.
Ian has a small construction business on the Northern Beaches, which has been running since 1997 and is the current team sponsor for our 2 under-11 teams, Ian Dalgleish Interior Linings. Ian has been a coach at the Avalon Bulldogs for the past 6yrs. He is a current Level 1 sports trainer (Blue Shirt), Ground Manager and was the Vice President for the past year.
Ian is also an active member of the Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club and was recently awarded his 25yr service award last season. He brings a lot of first aid, club, and community experience that he has learned from his time at the surf club.
Ian’s vision for the Bulldogs as President is to build on the social/family feel of the club and continue to grow our player base in both tackle and tag.
A few words from Ian:
“Our current committee has been starting on a 1yr, 3 and 5yr plan for the club which will include an update and expansion of the current clubhouse. While being incredibly exciting for our members and community, this will also take time and money to achieve.”
We encourage players of all ages and abilities from Newport to Palm Beach to join the club and participate in the local Manly Warringah Junior Rugby League competition. If you would like to join as a player or volunteer at our club, please contact us today. We look forward to welcoming you and your family.