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A Brief History of Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club
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In 1962 a mix of rugby league diehards from the Balmain Junior League gathered at a Rydalmere hotel and shared a dream. This dream soon became reality and they united in 1963 to support the activities of the Ryde-Eastwood District Rugby League Football Club.
Early 1964 saw the club secure short-term usage of the vacant factory in Ryedale Road, West Ryde, which was owned by Simpson Pope Limited.
From 1964 to 1970 the club went through countless court hearings as well as a change to the liquor licencing act by the Supreme Court before it was granted a licence.
In 1970, having finally been granted the licence, the doors were ‘officially’ declared open.
In 1977 the club drew up and expansion plan to accommodate a new bistro area, the shell of the proposed auditorium and the Hawk's Nest lounge. The plans also included the building of a four storey car park at the southern end of the club that would house 400 car parking spots.
1980 was a black year for Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club. On the eve of opening the new extensions, a massive explosion caused more than one million dollars worth of damage and six people were injured.
In 1981 the club re-opened its auditorium, known as ‘The Blue Room’. The Blue Room played host to many legendary Australian artists, such as Johnny 0’Keefe, Johnny Farnham and Julie Anthony.
1994 saw new plans to further expand its facilities to meet the growing demands of the community.
From 1996-1999 the club saw a total transition. With construction completed in August 1999 the new facilities included the addition of a 25-metre indoor heated swimming pool, a fitness centre, a new 300 seat bistro, and a function centre.
The club has grown substantially since then, with excess of 37,000 members.
The club proudly supports a team in the NSWRL Premier League Competition (as a joint venture with Balmain Football Club), but also provides a large range of facilities to club members and the local community, including the provision of financial and other support for local sporting, charity and community groups.