Newcastle Hunter Rugby League (NHRL) president Brian Finlay predicted the competition would be in for a big year before a ball was kicked in anger.

And, he wasn’t wrong.

Just a couple of weeks into the 2025 season, the hard-working committee’s already secured a landmark sponsorship agreement for its annual finals series.

Thanks to a deal with Port Stephens Council, the play-offs will return to the Lakeside Sporting Complex.

The opening round of semi-finals (23 August) are set to take place at neutral grounds, with the remainder of games reverting to the Raymond Terrace venue, culminating in nine deciders on 13 September.

“This is huge for us,” Finlay said.

“It’ll ensure we can keep entry costs low – free where possible – and continue growing this flagship event.

“With a record crowd of more than 12,000 people attending last year’s grand final, the series will bring a major economic boost to the Port Stephens LGA, too.

“Thousands of visitors stay in local hotels, dine in pubs, and shop with businesses in town.

“So, everyone wins.

“And, with 40 clubs and 66 teams participating in 2025, we’re preparing for another action-packed finals series.”

Finlay said he couldn’t thank Port Stephens Council, and mayor Leah Anderson, enough for its assistance.

“The day was unbelievable at the Lakeside Sporting Complex last season, so it made sense to return,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“Then to receive the backing of Port Stephens adds to the excitement.

“We’re very happy to have support from a local council, which sees the value in us being here.

“We did speak to both City of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City, however the talks never progressed.

“But, Port Stephens put its hand up and said they wanted us back; they’re fantastic partners.

“I honestly believe we’ll surpass the 14,000 mark this year because we’re getting bigger and bigger.

“People are really interested in community rugby league [at the moment].

“In 2024, it cost us $100,000 to host the finale, so the financial support from Port Stephens is massive.

“Now that we’ve got all this sorted, things look terrific moving forward.”

Cr Anderson, who was joined by fellow councillor Giacomo Arnott for the announcement, was equally-thrilled with the alliance.

“Newcastle Hunter Rugby League brings a major economic benefit to our region,” she said.

“So, it’s a pleasure to work with such a dedicated organisation.

“This sponsorship will also help support the local club, the Raymond Terrace Magpies, and strengthen sport in our community.”

Cr Arnott echoed those sentiments.

“I’ve been attending this event for years and seeing 12,000-plus at last season’s grand final was incredible,” he said.

“As a local councillor, I’m so proud our fields at Raymond Terrace being used for the all-important fixtures to decide the premiers.

“I have worked closely with council staff and NHRL to help secure naming rights for the 2025 series… and I’m thrilled to see it come together.

“I am really looking forward to it.”

Newcastle Hunter Rugby League (NHRL)

Round two results:

Men’s A grade

• West Wallsend d Maitland 28-22
• Cardiff d Dudley 22-12
• Dora Creek d Raymond Terrace 30-6
• Waratah Mayfield d Lakes United 20-16

Men’s B grade

• Windale d Kotara 8-6
• Mallabula d East Maitland 36-4
• Morpeth d Thornton Beresfield 30-12
• Shortland d University 24-20
• Bye: Hinton

Men’s C grade

• Dudley d Singleton Reserve 12-8
• Karuah Roos d Maitland United 48-6
• Fingal Bay d Woodberry 44-10
• Dungog d Wallsend Maryland 22-6
• Stockton d Paterson 54-0

Men’s D grade northern

• Mallabula d Waratah Mayfield 22-14
• Morpeth d Thornton Beresfield 36-12
• Gloucester d Tea Gardens 28-6
• Clarence Town d Stroud 22-16
• Bye: Raymond Terrace

Men’s D grade southern

• Cardiff d Glendale 24-16
• Kearsley d West Maitland 18-0
• West Wallsend d Swansea 28-14
• Morisset d Waratah Mayfield 20-10

Ladies league tag A grade

• University d Cessnock 22-8
• Waratah Mayfield d Wallsend Maryland 22-2
• Central Newcastle d Nelson Bay Bandits 32-0
• Bye: Raymond Terrace

Ladies league tag B grade

• Singleton d Dungog 28-0
• Thornton Beresfield d Aberglasslyn 20-8
• Kotara d Stroud 18-12
• University d Shortland 16-10

Ladies league tag C grade

• Waratah Mayfield d Swansea 34-16
• Clarence Town d Glendale 28-6
• Stockton drew with Aberglasslyn 12-all
• Tea Gardens d Nelson Bay Bandits 32-4

Round three draw:

Men’s A grade

Thursday 24 April

• 7.30pm: Lakes United v Raymond Terrace (Lenaghan Oval)
• 8pm: Waratah Mayfield v West Wallsend (Waratah Oval)

Friday 25 April

• 1pm: Dora Creek v Cardiff (Dora Creek Workers Club Oval)

Saturday 26 April

• 11.45am: Maitland v Dudley (Maitland No 1. Sportsground)

Men’s B grade

Wednesday 23 April

• 7pm: University v Kotara (Newcastle University – Callaghan)

Thursday 24 April

• 7.30pm: Windale v Mallabula (Michael Bird Field)

Saturday 26 April

• 3.15pm: Thornton Beresfield v Shortland (Somerset Park Sporting Fields)

Sunday 27 April

• 1pm: Hinton v East Maitland (Stuart Park)
• Bye: Morpeth

Men’s C grade

Saturday 26 April

• 1pm: Maitland United v Fingal Bay (Coronation Oval)
• 1pm: Woodberry v Stockton (Fred Harvey Oval)
• 1pm: Paterson v Karuah Roos (Paterson Sportsground)
• 1pm: Singleton Reserve v Wallsend Maryland (Pirtek Park)

Sunday 27 April

• 1.30pm: Dungog v Dudley (Bennett Park)

Men’s D grade northern

Thursday 24 April

• 6.30pm: Morpeth v Raymond Terrace (Morpeth Oval)

Saturday 26 April

• 1.45pm: Thornton Beresfield v Clarence Town (Somerset Park Sporting Fields)
• 2.30pm: Gloucester v Stroud (Bert Gallagher Oval)

Sunday 27 April

• Noon: Tea Gardens v Mallabula (Myall Park)
• Bye: Waratah Mayfield

Men’s D grade southern

Thursday 24 April

• 6.30pm: Waratah Mayfield v West Wallsend (Waratah Oval)
• 7pm: Glendale v Swansea (Bower Oval)

Saturday 26 April

• 3pm: Abermain v Cardiff (Howe Park)
• 3pm: Kearsley v Morisset (Jeffery Park)
• Bye: West Maitland

Ladies league tag A grade

Wednesday 23 April

• 7.30pm: Waratah Mayfield v Nelson Bay Bandits (Waratah Oval)

Friday 25 April

• 9.30am: Central Newcastle v Raymond Terrace (St John Oval)

Wednesday 30 April

• 7pm: University v Wallsend Maryland (Newcastle University – Callaghan)
• Bye: Cessnock

Ladies league tag B grade

Wednesday 23 April

• 6pm: University v Kotara (Newcastle University – Callaghan)

Thursday 24 April

• 7.30pm: Aberglasslyn v Singleton (McKeachie’s Sportsground)

Saturday 26 April

• 11.30am: Thornton Beresfield v Shortland (Somerset Park Sporting Fields)

Sunday 27 April

• 12.30pm: Dungog v Stroud (Bennett Park)

Ladies league tag C grade

Wednesday 23 April

• 6.30pm: Waratah Mayfield v Nelson Bay Bandits (Waratah Oval)

Thursday 24 April

• 6pm: Glendale v Swansea (Bower Oval)
• 6.30pm: Aberglasslyn v Raymond Terrace (McKeachie’s Sportsground)

Sunday 27 April

• 11am: Tea Gardens v Clarence Town (Myall Park)
• Bye: Stockton

For more sports stories:

• Butcher Boys, Roos eyeing off first NEWRL win in 2025
• Schiller, Gamble return for Knights, Lucas still sidelined
• Family ties put to the test as Woolnough brothers face-off in NEWRL showdown

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