Macarthur Rugby League: Grand final tip of the iceberg in The Oaks Tigers’ sudden rise

The Oaks Tigers could end more than three decades in the Macarthur RL wilderness. Regardless of Sunday’s grand final result, see why the club is now positioned for sustained success.

The Oaks Tigers won the under-13 bronze grand final. Supplied: The Oaks Tigers

They’re on the cusp of breaking a 32-year premiership drought, but for The Oaks Tigers it’s just one piece in a much bigger puzzle.

Led by local boy Mitchell Brasington, when the Tigers take to Campbelltown Stadium in Sunday’s Macarthur Rugby League grand final, it’ll be another step in the club’s continued growth.

Nestled in the Wollondilly Shire about 15 km west of Camden, The Oaks’ population nudges 4,000. For seniors club president Kevin Bell, when it comes to building a footy club, the village setting poses a unique set of challenges.

“The club has slowly been working towards this success,” said Bell, a former juniors president who has held down his current position for four years.

“We have a strategy, not so much to make the grand final in first grade, but to improve our standing in the competition. The juniors and seniors are separate clubs but we work closely together because we are trying to get as many locals as possible to remain local.

“The goal is to maintain competitive teams across all the grades. That’s our biggest challenge coming from a small area, but it is key to maintaining sustainability and attracting sponsorship.”

At the grassroots, in boys and girls divisions the Tigers field 18 teams from under-6s to 16s . Being on the Camden periphery assists player recruitment, but for Bell, it’s the club’s ability to maintain numbers that continues to impress.

“Last year the junior club had the second highest retention rate of any club across NSW,” he said.

“The local players tend to hang around for longer and it’s important we retain them. Then the club has to look beyond its boundaries because locally we just can’t sustain two senior teams.

“To run senior men’s teams in the Macarthur competition, the requirement is to field both first and reserve grade sides. To do that effectively, the club needs to turnover nearly $200k per year.”

April Stevens in action during the Women’s Open Age grand final. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

In a magic season across the board, six Tigers teams have reached the grand final. But it’s the arrival of the women’s team that has seen the club kick significant goals on and off the park.

“We’ve tried to get a women’s side for a few years now, but have always struggled for numbers,” said Bell.

“But the Stevens sisters, April and Katie, returned home. That encouraged other players to join and we were able to get a team together, and they made the open age grand final in their first season.

“Having the women’s team has lifted game day crowds by 25 per cent. It’s not just the players, their friends and family attend, where that doesn’t necessarily happen with the men.

“And there is certainly a better feel around the club. It’s more inclusive from game day to club functions.”

The new facilities at Dudley Chesham Sports Ground are on track for operation in 2025. Picture: The Oaks Tigers RLFC

Supported by a dedicated committee, loyal servants like Glenn Davies have been on deck for the best part of 20 years to help navigate the club through some difficult times.

Adding fuel to a roaring Tigers mix, club sponsor The Oaks Hotel recently completed a major renovation. While following the backing of local government, a new $5.2m grandstand with modern facilities is nearing completion at the club’s Dudley Chesham home base.

“The hotel looks more professional now and that helps with creating a lasting impression when we meet potential recruits, rather than an old rundown pub,” said Bell.

And all going well, come Sunday if the Tigers replicate the 1992 success, the revamped hotel could well face its toughest test.

“It’ll be a full house that’s for sure, hopefully it can cope”.