Newtown Lions focus on rebuild after Toowoomba league ban

Kicked out of Toowoomba Rugby League in November Newton Lions have vowed to fight on. Here is a look at what the historic league club has planned for 2025.

Janet Morofa in action for Newtown Lions during a 2023 Toowoomba Rugby League women’s match. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Newtown’s Toowoomba Rugby League return will be built on loyalty, pride in the jersey and creating a senior home for the club’s promising juniors.

Lions president Kerrin Suey said the club will use 2025 to reset and rebuild the right way.

“We’re very dissappointed to not be playing next season,” Suey said.

“But we’ve got a good plan in place already and we will be in regular contact with Toowoomba Rugby League to make sure we are doing things the right way.

“The goal is to come back in 2026 and step-by-step build for a better future.”

Suey, who coached the Lions reserve grade side this season, said the club did consider joining other league competitions in 2025 but that idea was quickly shutdown.

Many of the club’s exisiting players expressed a desire to sit out the next season rather than sign for another club or line up in another competition.

“For a lot of players this is the only club they’ve known and they don’t want to play for someone else,” Suey said.

“They said they’d rather sit out the year than ask for a release ... I have a lot of respect for that decision.

“That’s what we (Newtown) are about. We’re club with a strong family culture and we want to build on that for the future.

“It’s not a short term thing for us. We’re focused on the long term. Our juniors are doing well but we need to make sure there’s a place for them which is why we need the senior club to exist.”

Away from the field of play the other major focus of Lions rebuild will be its finances.

“In 2025 we will be working hard behind the scenes to put the club in a better position financially and to come back in the 2026 season stronger than ever,” Suey said.

“We will be in regular talks with sponsors and supporters throughout 2025 to make sure we are in a good position financially for the future.