Collins documenting Cobar’s proud rugby league history

Local writer John Collins is in the process of writing his new book on the history of rugby league in Cobar.
Local writer John Collins is in the process of writing his new book on the history of
rugby league in Cobar.

 

 

Cobar Museum’s local author John Collins has embarked on a project to document Cobar’s rugby league football history into a book.

Mr Collins started his research last year and hopes to finish the book this year, delivering around 200 pages of local footy history.

He is no stranger to sports history having previously published his ‘125 Years of Cobar Cricket’ book in 2003.

The new book will cover rugby league history in Cobar and include the ups and downs of the Cobar teams competing in the Group 15, Group 14 and Group 11 competitions.

“I want to get the full story, not only Cobar, the whole group area,” Mr Collins said.

As part of his research Mr Collins has spoken with retired players from Warren, Goodooga and Bourke, which he found “very enjoyable” and plans to interview a number of local people and get their stories.

Mr Collins is also asking the public to contribute any team photos they may have.

“There was a time before we had computers and before we had all the different types of sports that we have got today and everyone went to the rugby league,” he said.

Mr Collins said that he never played rugby league himself but he recognised the sport had played a big part in Cobar’s history since it was first played in town in 1921.

“Before there was rugby union we only had rugby league, that was the only contact sport that was played.

“For 40 years it was like that and the guys that did well in rugby league became household names, not only here, but away.”

These “household names” and other well known players from across the region will feature in his book.

In his research Mr Collins said he found the Cobar club had wonderful heydays after WWII and dominated Group 15 for many years.

His book will outline the club’s move to Group 14 and then on to the stronger Dubbo-based Group 11 competition, where Cobar won four premierships.