The Winston Hills Tigers Club History 

 

Parents, players, supporters and officials have often asked questions over the years about past events and the history of the Winston Hills Tigers and in particular, its origins. With the help of Past President and Life Member, Ted Weidner, OAM we have put together the following history of the club’s early beginnings.

​

Perhaps it should be more accurately described as a "story" about a club, as sometimes people think of history as describing something that is ancient or forgotten and needs to be revived for the sake of prosperity. This club has now been in existence for 45 years is a club that is vital, modern and progressive but it has a past and........ without a past you have no future, so here's our story! 

​

The Winston Hills suburb had its beginnings around 1965 when Hookers Corporation turned Model Farms into a modern suburban district. The Winston Hills Progress Association was formed about 1967 as a watchdog of the interests of residents.

 

A sporting committee of this Association was formed for those who were interested in having open space, parks and playing fields set aside for sport and recreation. Ted Weidner was appointed as chairman. That first committee held its meetings in open paddocks but out of these meetings it was decided that playing fields should be set aside for football.

The first ground allocated for Sport by Hooker Corporation was near Junction Road and is now called Max Ruddock Reserve. The ground was originally set aside for Union and League. Having acquired playing fields, the next task was to entice players to become involved.

 

At the time there were only a few young boys in the district. In 1969 George Johnson of Baulkham Hills had a side playing for Hills District and wanted to change clubs. George, with some of his Hills players and other young boys from the district became the first team of Winston Hills Junior Rugby League Club. A committee was formed, George Johnson was appointed coach and Ted Weidner was appointed President and Secretary. 

​

The club constitution was approved by the Parramatta District Junior Rugby League in 1969 and the club began in 1970. Club funds were kicked off with a $20 donation from the Winston Hills Progress Association. The Parramatta District club threw in a set of socks for the team and three 2nd hand footballs. Hookers supplied a set of football jumpers in white and gold which became the club colours. 

​

The club now had a team, oval, footy gear but no goal posts! Hookers display and exhibition house had 4 very large white flag poles outside their building and over-night these poles went missing .... falling off the back of a truck onto the oval and became the ovals goal posts!

​

In 1970 the 1st Ladies Auxiliary was formed and Ted Weidner’s late wife, Kathleen was appointed President. These dedicated ladies sold lollies and drinks from car boots parked on the playing fields and later supplied their goods from tents until a canteen was built. 

 

In 1972 a Queensland Junior Rugby League Club called Brothers St Brendan's wrote to the Parramatta District Junior Rugby League seeking a team to visit and play on a regular basis in Sydney. Winston Hills was selected and every year since then there have been regular visits between the two clubs by an Under 15’s team. 

 

A shield was struck to mark the year and record the results of each game. In 1974 during the QLD floods the St Brendan's club was washed away. The trophy was recovered from the floodwaters and now holds pride of place in their trophy cabinet. In 1976 a new trophy was struck titled, "The Doug Henning Trophy" as a commemorative trophy, in memory of a Winston Hills player who started with the club as a junior, played C grade as a senior and later coached a junior team.  Doug was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 19 with his sister and 3 other teenagers. Doug is very much a part of the history of the club. As a boy who started out as a junior player and went on to contribute something of himself back to the sport. Thereby beats the heart of a club from those that continue to make a contribution to its welfare!! 

 

In 1981, Ted Weidner was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to Sport. At the time of his presentation, Ted said; "I share this honour with all those coaches, and officials of Winston Hills Junior Rugby League Club for their unselfish contribution to sport" 

 

The Winston Hills Tigers had its beginnings as a one team club. It climbed the ladder of progress during the heady days of the 70's and 80's to field up to 20 teams. As the demographics of the district ebb and flow so do we in team numbers. We've won our share of premierships, made many a semi and finals campaign and delivered SG Ball, Presidents Cup and other representative players to the Parramatta District club and eventually the NRL.

​

As we look back on the past years, let's remember the ode to a sportsman: 

 

And when at last the scorer comes to write against your name, 

He won't ask if you lost or won

 But how you played the game...